An all-Hackney London Mayoral contest?

Caption: Labour MP Diane Abbott. Photo: Policy Exchange

Labour MP Diane Abbott. Photo: Policy Exchange

The 2016 London Mayoral Election could turn into a local battle as two strong Hackney candidates seek for nomination.

Both Conservative Andrew Boff and Labour Diane Abbott are looking to replace Boris Johnson. Who will not contest the next mayoral election after his election as MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip in the recent general election.

The London Mayoral Election is estimated to be a tight race between Conservatives and Labour. In 2012 Johnson was elected with 51.53 per cent of the vote and a 3% lead.

In the 7 May General Election, Labour increased its number of London seats from 38 to 45, while Tories got only 27 seats.

Boff is currently a leader of the Conservative group in the London Assembly. He stood unsuccessfully for the Conservative nomination for the London Mayoral Elections in 2000, 2004 and 2008.

Deputy Mayor of Policing and Crime, Stephen Greenhalgh has also declared an interest in fighting for the Conservative nomination. Former footballer Sol Campbell, and entrepreneur and gay rights activist Ivan Massow have also announced their bids.

The Conservative party has not yet confirmed the date for selecting the candidate.

Abbott is a long serving Labour MP for Hackney and Stroke Newington and a former shadow minister for Public Health. She has held her seat since 1987 and got re-elected in May with an increased 24,016 majority.

A number of other incumbent Labour MPs have also declared their intention to seek the nomination including MP for Tooting Sadiq Khan, MP for Tottenham David Lammy and MP for Harrow West Gareth Thomas. Former Cabinet Minister Tessa Jowell is also looking for the Labour nomination.

The Labour party will choose their candidate on 12 September. Abbott has criticised her party’s methods in selecting a candidate for the race.

It is likely that Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrats in London Assembly, will take part to the Mayoral Election.

Former Deputy Mayor of London Jenni Jones from Green Party has announced she will not contest this time.

The London mayoral election will be held on 5 May 2016. The nominations submission period will run from 21 and 31 of March 2016.

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