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

MayorWatch

London News and Comment

  • NEWS
  • COMMENT
  • CONTACT
  • Twitter

On current form Shaun Bailey will fail to offer Sadiq Khan any meaningful challenge

September 28, 2018 - Martin Hoscik@martinhoscik

Image: GLA Conservatives
The widely expected selection of Shaun Bailey as the Conservatives’ 2020 mayoral candidate risks being a missed opportunity.

With defeat for the party almost certain, it’s easy to see why no ‘big names’ wanted to put themselves forward but Bailey, one of two London Assembly members standing for the candidacy, has also been the least impressive so far.

Unlike Andrew Boff, his leading rival for the role, he regularly fails to shine at Mayor’s Question Time where his interventions against Sadiq Khan are often ill-thought out, poorly-researched and badly delivered.

And, crucially, while they generate a lot of noise, they mostly fail to elicit any useful information or disprove the Mayor’s answers.

Much of his selection campaign has matched his City Hall performance, with a pledge to protect the Freedom Pass which could only be under threat if Theresa May brought forward legislation to axe it, and contradictory promises to scrap the incoming Ultra Low Emission Zone’s expansion – a much-needed source of income for Transport for London – while also boosting investment in the transport network.

While selecting early allows a relatively low-profile candidate to build-up their brand recognition, Bailey’s also going to have to spend some of the next 18 months improving his performance and assembling, and listening to, a team which is far better at detail and policy than he is.

  • 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

RECENT UPDATES

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

Government awards London £7m for new electric buses




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.