• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

MayorWatch

London News and Comment

  • NEWS
  • COMMENT
  • CONTACT
  • Twitter

Dyke Not Standing, Do the Tories Have Anything to Offer London?

April 18, 2007 - Martin Hoscik@martinhoscik

It’s never nice to get it wrong but it’d be dishonest to deny our amusement at the expense of much larger media organisations who rushed out stories reporting rumours that Greg Dyke was to run as a either a Conservative or joint Conservative/LibDem candidate at next year’s Mayoral election.

He’s not.

Anyone interested in how the ‘story’ gathered pace and credibility might be interested in this Guardian article.

Meanwhile the Tories might like to put more effort into finding a credible runner than seeking to hide behind the joint backing of an independent.

If Mr Cameron’s Conservatives have nothing to offer Londoners they should just say so.

Update: Thursday’s press coverage of the affair isn’t good reading for Cameron:

“David Cameron was humiliated after his attempt to get former BBC chief Greg Dyke to stand for London mayor backfired.” The Daily Mail

“The Conservatives’ ongoing failure to find a candidate for the mayoralty of London took an embarrassing turn yesterday after it emerged that they approached Greg Dyke to stand – only for him to rebuff them publicly.” The Guardian

“David Cameron was humiliated after his attempt to get former BBC chief Greg Dyke to stand for London mayor backfired.” This is London

“David Cameron was left red-faced last night after TV chief Greg Dyke rejected plans to run as a candidate for London Mayor…in an embarrassment for Mr Cameron, he ruled himself out of the race last night after the Lib Dems refused to back the plan.“ The Sun

“A plot by David Cameron to persuade former BBC boss Greg Dyke to run for London mayor blew up in his face yesterday.” The MirrorÂ

“The Lib Dem rejection are a humiliating setback for the Conservative leader, who is struggling to find a candidate to take on Labour’s Ken Livingstone in the 2008 mayoral election.” Financial Times

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Related

Comments

  1. anon says

    April 19, 2007 at 5:20 am

    Cameron’s f—ed the party with this failed deal. We’re now meant to pick one of the dwarves with the media and public well aware that the party has been casting about for just about *anyone* else.

    Maude and Cameron couldn’t have holed the eventual candidate’s campaign more fatally if they’d tried.

  2. Steve says

    April 18, 2007 at 6:41 pm

    You’ve missed the funniest aspect of this story.

    A Tory spokesman told the BBC:

    “We have got a very strong field of candidates. There are some very serious contenders out there. You don’t have to be well-known to be a strong candidate,”

    Of course that’s all you can say when the only declared runners are complete unknowns, anyone even remotely known outside their own home having turned you down!

RECENT UPDATES

TfL’s cutting bus services so why’s it wasting resources trialling an on-demand minibus Ford’s Chariot shows isn’t sustainable?

Sadiq Khan announces extra £50m to clean up commercial fleets and taxis

Sian Berry selected as Green Party’s 2020 candidate for London Mayor

London Underground introduce new ‘Here to Help’ vests to boost staff visibility




Popular

TfL urged to explore Tube station sponsorship deals after poll shows public backing

TfL confirms plans to axe of shorten dozens of London bus routes

Noise from London’s heliport could pose health risk to residents says study

Social housing tenants gain veto over estate demolitions after new City Hall rules come into effect

FEATURED

TfL planning return of annual fare hikes as agency looks to balance books following Crossrail delay

TfL set to extend Cubic’s contactless fares licensing deal after netting £15m in royalties in just two years

TfL warns budget cuts could force it to close key roads, tunnels and bridges

Transport for London tells board it lacks the cash to deliver Sadiq’s transport vision

GOT A STORY?

As the original London news and scrutiny site we've been casting an eye over the capital's public services and politicians since 1999.

 

Many of our top stories started with a tip-off from a reader - if you've got something you'd like us to cover get in touch and we'll do the rest.

Stay In Touch

  • E-mail
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2019 MayorWatch Publications Limited · MayorWatch is Registered Trademark · All Rights Reserved · Contact Us · Terms of Use · Privacy Policy

MayorWatch Publications Limited · 20-22 Wenlock Road · London N1 7GU · Company Number 6291816

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.