NEWS REPORT: Who's running to be mayor of London?

Boris Johnson's term as mayor of London will end next year and he isn't standing for re-election.  So, who are the likely candidates to be London mayor?  Here are the most likely candidates, who have already declared their bid to run for election:


Zac Goldsmith
Today Zack Goldsmith announced that voters in his constituency had backed him (79% said yes) in his bid to run for mayor of London.  He first must be chosen by the Conservative party to run on behalf of them, and see of other Conservative contenders including former footballer Sol Campbell.

• He has been the MP for Richmond Park since 2010
• He is strongly opposed to the Heathrow expansion proposal
• He is a strong environmental campaigner 

Sadiq Khan 

Khan announced his intention to stand for mayor as the Labour candidate soon after the general election.

• He has been the MP for Tooting since 2005 and under from 2013 to earlier this year was shadow minister for London.
• He opposes the expansion of Heathrow

Dame Tessa Jowell

She is considered the front runner in the contest to represent the Labour party in the mayoral election

• MP for Dulwich and West Norwood from 1992 until 2015, where she didn't stand for re-election.
• She led the successful bid for London to host the 2012 Olympic games.
• She was awarded a BDE in the 2012 Birthday Honours list.

George Galloway

Controversial candidate George Galloway will be standing on behalf of his Respect Party and announced his intention to run via Twitter.

• Born in Dundee, Galloway was a Labour MP from 1987 to 2003 in Glasgow, but was expelled from the party in 2003.  He joined the Respect party (and later became leader) but carried on as an MP 2005 general election without forcing a by-election.
• Galloway then represented Bethnal Green as a Respect MP from 2005 to 2010 and then Bradford West from 2012 to 2015.
• Galloway strongly opposed the Iraq war and is a strong pro-Palestine activist.

Other candidates running/ expected to run include Labour MP Dianne Abbot, Russell Brand, businessman Ivan Massow and former footballer Sol Campbell (both wishing to represent the Conservative party).