Mayor of London Plans to Run for Parliament

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/07/world/europe/mayor-of-london-boris-johnson-plans-to-run-for-parliament.html

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LONDON — Boris Johnson, London’s mayor and one of the most recognizable figures in British politics, said on Wednesday that he would try to return to Parliament next year, opening the possibility that he could one day succeed Prime Minister David Cameron as leader of the Conservative Party.

The announcement comes after months of speculation about the intentions of Mr. Johnson, a friend and rival of Mr. Cameron who is one of several potential candidates when the center-right Conservative Party next changes leader.

Until Wednesday, Mr. Johnson, who is serving his second term in the high-profile post of mayor of London, had avoided questions about a return to Parliament in next year’s general election. But answering questions after a speech here, he said he had “danced around” the issue for too long and could not “endlessly go on dodging these questions.”

Though he said he had no Parliament seat lined up, Mr. Johnson said, “in all probability I will try to find somewhere to stand in 2015,” adding, with the self-deprecating humor that is one of his hallmarks, “it is highly likely I will be unsuccessful.”

Flamboyant and controversial, Mr. Johnson has become a serious political figure, and in 2012, he won a second term as mayor of London, which is usually regarded as a left-leaning city.

The general election next year looks too close to call, but if Mr. Cameron loses, many analysts believe he will stand down as party leader. In 2010, he failed to win an overall majority and formed a coalition government with the centrist Liberal Democrats.

Being outside Parliament would exclude Mr. Johnson from any contest for the leadership of the Conservative Party whenever it arises. Even if he contests and wins a parliamentary seat and then a leadership vacancy arises, Mr. Johnson would still have to persuade party colleagues to support him.

Mr. Johnson, who has served before as a member of Parliament, said he planned to serve out the remainder of his mayoral term, which ends in 2016.

Mr. Cameron has previously said that he would welcome Mr. Johnson’s return to Parliament. On Wednesday, Mr. Cameron posted on Twitter from his vacation in Portugal: “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.”