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| Boris Johnson reveals intention to stand as MP in 2015 general election | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Boris Johnson has confirmed that he will "in all probability" seek to become an MP in the 2015 general election. | Boris Johnson has confirmed that he will "in all probability" seek to become an MP in the 2015 general election. |
| The Mayor of London said following a speech in the capital that he "might as well be absolutely clear" on the fact that he intended to try and "find somewhere to stand" next year. | The Mayor of London said following a speech in the capital that he "might as well be absolutely clear" on the fact that he intended to try and "find somewhere to stand" next year. |
| "I have not got any particular seat lined-up but I do think... in all probability I will try to find somewhere to stand in 2015," he said during a question-and-answer session. | "I have not got any particular seat lined-up but I do think... in all probability I will try to find somewhere to stand in 2015," he said during a question-and-answer session. |
| Mr Johnson also said he intended to serve out his full term as Mayor, which runs until 2016 - meaning if he is elected as an MP he will be performing both functions concurrently. | Mr Johnson also said he intended to serve out his full term as Mayor, which runs until 2016 - meaning if he is elected as an MP he will be performing both functions concurrently. |
| Speaking about his chances if he stands, he added: "It's highly likely I will be unsuccessful in that venture - you should never underestimate the possibility of these things going badly wrong." | Speaking about his chances if he stands, he added: "It's highly likely I will be unsuccessful in that venture - you should never underestimate the possibility of these things going badly wrong." |
| Mr Johnson's declaration that he intends to find a seat finally puts an end to months of speculation about his ambitions to make a return to Parliament. | Mr Johnson's declaration that he intends to find a seat finally puts an end to months of speculation about his ambitions to make a return to Parliament. |
| Great news that Boris plans to stand at next year's general election - I've always said I want my star players on the pitch. | Great news that Boris plans to stand at next year's general election - I've always said I want my star players on the pitch. |
| He has repeatedly denied any such ambitions - in December telling a Westminster lunch that he "couldn't see how [he] could" given his workload as Mayor. | He has repeatedly denied any such ambitions - in December telling a Westminster lunch that he "couldn't see how [he] could" given his workload as Mayor. |
| Today he admitted that he had "dance around [the question] an awfully long time now" and said it had become "pretty clear that I can't endlessly go on dodging these questions as I've tried to do". | Today he admitted that he had "dance around [the question] an awfully long time now" and said it had become "pretty clear that I can't endlessly go on dodging these questions as I've tried to do". |
| Coming just a day after Baroness Warsi's resignation presented a significant challenge to the unity of David Cameron's Government, the news immediately raised the prospect that Mr Johnson could emerge as a challenger to David Cameron if the Conservatives are defeated or again fail to secure an overall Commons majority. | Coming just a day after Baroness Warsi's resignation presented a significant challenge to the unity of David Cameron's Government, the news immediately raised the prospect that Mr Johnson could emerge as a challenger to David Cameron if the Conservatives are defeated or again fail to secure an overall Commons majority. |
| His announcement came at the end of a speech in which he raised the prospect that Britain could leave the EU if the Prime Minister fails to achieve his promised reforms. | His announcement came at the end of a speech in which he raised the prospect that Britain could leave the EU if the Prime Minister fails to achieve his promised reforms. |
| Mr Cameron was quick to respond to Mr Johnson's declaration - despite still being out of the country on holiday, and in contrast to the speed of his reaction to the news about Lady Warsi yesterday. | Mr Cameron was quick to respond to Mr Johnson's declaration - despite still being out of the country on holiday, and in contrast to the speed of his reaction to the news about Lady Warsi yesterday. |
| He tweeted that it was "great news", adding: "I've always said I want my star players on the pitch." | He tweeted that it was "great news", adding: "I've always said I want my star players on the pitch." |