Tottenham MP David Lammy has told the Evening Standard that he’ll seek to become Labour’s 2016 candidate for Mayor.
In an exclusive interview with the paper, the former minister confirms he’ll seek re-election to the Commons in May 2015 but pledges to stand down immediately if selected as the party’s Mayoral runner.
The candidate will be chosen next summer by an all-London primary in which party members and supporters will be able to vote.
Although a number of big names, including Tessa Jowell and Sadiq Khan, are rumoured to be interested in running, Lammy is only the second person to open declare his candidacy.
The first, transport expert Christian Wolmar, announced his intention to run in 2012.
Recent polls suggest Mr Lammy would be the first choice of just 6 per cent of Londoners.
Mr Wolmar welcomed his rival to the contest and expressed hope that his announcement “will flush out other candidates so we can have proper debate.”
On Twitter, London Assembly member Jennette Arnold praised Mr Lammy’s “bravery” in declaring his candidacy.
A 2016 run for the Mayoralty would mark a return to City Hall politics for Mr Lammy.
In May 2000 he was elected to serve on the London Assembly but quit just weeks later to become Tottenham MP.
He also acted as head of Ken Livingstone’s selection campaign in 2010 in which he beat Oona King for the chance to take on Boris Johnson in the 2012 Mayoral contest.
