Zac Goldsmith today embarked on a 24-hour tour which will see him meet workers and business owners whose prosperity depends on London’s night-time economy.
Among the businesses and workplaces the Tory mayoral candidate will visit are a supermarket delivery hub, early morning food markets and a railway depot.
The tour started in Richmond with a rally where Goldsmith was joined by Prime Minister David Cameron and outgoing Mayor Boris Johnson.
Addressing a crowd of campaign workers and party activists, Mr Cameron said: “Only Zac can secure the success we’ve seen under Boris over the last 8 years. His action plan will deliver for all Londoners – the houses you want, the transport you need, the safer streets and greener environment we all want.
“And he’ll protect family finances by freezing mayoral council tax. This election really matters – it’s a clear choice and it’s in your hands. If Zac wins, London wins.”
Mr Johnson has been a regular face on the campaign trail, with the Tories seeking to capitalise on his popularity both with their own supporter base and the wider electorate.
Although opinion pollsters suggest Labour’s Sadiq Khan enjoys a 20point lead over his rival, Tory campaign strategists are hoping Johnson’s star power will help switch voters’ minds before they vote on Thursday.
One of their key campaign messages has been that a Khan win would be also be a victory for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn who Mr Khan nominated, but says he did not vote for, in last summer’s Labour leadership election.
The outgoing mayor told activists: “On Thursday we need to come out and back Zac and his plan, because running London is simply too big a challenge to hand to Khan and Corbyn.”
Mr Goldsmith told his audience: “Hundreds of thousands of people work tirelessly to make our City great, and that’s exactly what I’ll do as Mayor.
“My Action Plan for Greater London will keep the economy strong, keep London moving, ensure our streets are kept safe and make London the greenest and cleanest city in the world.
“I’ll help out Londoners by freezing mayoral council tax, and I’ll get the tube working through the night so it’s easier to move around. This campaign is the fight of my life, and it will go right down to the wire on Thursday.”
Londoners will elect a new Mayor and the 25 members of the London Assembly on May 5th. Candidates for Mayor include Conservative Zac Goldsmith, Labour’s Sadiq Khan, Liberal Democrat Caroline Pidgeon, the Green party’s Sian Berry and UKIP’s Peter Whittle.
