A clear majority of London voters say Boris Johnson should step down “immediately ” as Mayor if elected as an MP or becomes Conservative party leader.
On Wednesday Mr Johnson announced he would seek to return to parliament at next year’s general election.
If elected, Johnson says he would remain Mayor until his current term ends in May 2016.
However today’s YouGov poll for the Sunday Times shows that 59% of Londoners and 60% of national voters believe he should quit City Hall “immediately” if elected as an MP in May.
In addition, 84% of Londoners and 79% of all poll respondents say Johnson should “immediately resign” as Mayor if he became Conservative leader.
If Johnson stood down before November 2015 the law would require a by-election to be held within 35 days at an estimated cost of £12m. The winner would only serve as Mayor until the next scheduled City Hall election in 2016.
Despite believing he should quit as Mayor if elected to the Commons, the poll shows 46% of London voters back the Mayor’s decision to stand as an MP with just 29% saying he’s wrong to do so.
