Syed for Mayor

I live more than 300 miles away from London, so it is entirely right that I will not have a vote either in the selection of Conservative candidate for London mayor, nor in the election itself.

And I hope that all the rumours of CCHQ trying to impose either a candidate or a specific size of shortlist on Conservatives in London are just that - rumours - it should be for Conservatives in London to pick their candidate.

However, I used to work in London and naturally still take an interest in what happens there, so I see no reason not to express a view.

There are several excellent candidates who have put themselves forward, but although he would be a huge loss to the European parliament, I hope Syed Kamall MEP becomes mayor.

Syed has been a London MEP for ten years and is currently the British Conservative leader in the European Parliament and also the leader of the Conservatives and Reformists group in the European Parliament.

While I was standing for the European parliament last year I was immensely impressed by Syed, who is a really great guy: a Muslim Conservative whose dad used to drive a number 73 bus but who inspired him never to put limits to what he could try to be. He would be an excellent leader for a city which is one of the largest and most complex, arguably the most dynamic, and absolutely without question the most cosmopolitan city in the world.

There is a great interview with Syed on Conservative Home which you can read here.

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