Boris Johnson says he'll 'have a crack' at parliament in 2015| News |

Boris Johnson will stand for Parliament in 2015

(Image credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

published 6 August 2014

London Mayor Boris Johnson has finally set the record straight about his political aspirations, announcing that he wants to stand for parliament in 2015.In the face of unrelenting speculation that he will succeed David Cameron as Tory leader, Johnson has previously denied that he would stand at the next parliamentary election."It is clear I can't endlessly go on dodging these questions," he conceded today, during a question and answer session in London about Britain's relationship with the EU. "So, let me put it this way, you ask about Uxbridge, I haven't got any particular seat lined up but I do think in all probability, since you can't do these things furtively, I might as well be absolutely clear, in all probability I will try to find somewhere to stand in 2015."Johnson said he would serve out his term as London mayor until May 2016, meaning he would have to do two jobs for a year if he was elected.The Guardian says the decision means he "would be a likely contender for the Tory leadership along with George Osborne and Theresa May if Cameron loses the election and resigns".The newspaper thinks the most likely place for him to stand would be the safe seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip. The sitting MP, former deputy whip Sir John Randall, is retiring.Johnson did not rule out running for a seat outside London, pointing out that he had been both London mayor and MP for Henley for a short time in 2008. "It may all go wrong but the likelihood is I am going to have to give it a crack," he added.Cameron managed to send a response to the news from his family holiday in Portugal, tweeting: "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."

But Labour MP Sadiq Khan, who is expected to stand for London mayor in 2016, said Johnson had made it "absolutely clear today that his priority is succeeding David Cameron as Tory leader rather than serving the interests of Londoners". He added: "London deserves better than this."