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Boris Johnson is set to run for another four years as London Mayor, the Standard can reveal today.
The Tory, tipped as a future challenger to David Cameron as leader of the party, is expected to declare for the 2012 contest in the next few weeks.
It would pit Mr Johnson in a re-run of the belligerent 2008 contest against Ken Livingstone, frontrunner for the Labour candidacy. The former mayor has already expressed hopes of a rematch in two years.
Steps are being taken to get Mr Johnson's campaign team and fund-raising operation in place.
He is understood to have recruited Australian political strategist Lynton Crosby, a key figure in the last campaign, to run his team.
Mr Johnson has previously suggested he would almost certainly stand again but has so far refused to give a firm pledge. Several sources close to the Mayor told the Standard that he had now made up his mind to go for re-election. One well-placed Tory source said: “He is planning to launch. He's definitely doing that.”
A City Hall insider also confirmed the Mayor's re-election bid was imminent. A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: “The Mayor has always made it clear that he thinks this is the best job in the world and if it's all going well at a suitable point in his mayoralty he would be minded to seek the people's endorsement to run again. He has signalled in the past that he would come to that decision in the summer.”
Senior sources said Mr Johnson was originally “toying with the idea” of launching his bid at tomorrow's State of London address at City Hall.
However, he is now thought to have gone cold on the idea, preferring to confirm his intentions later this summer after the launch of his pet project, the London bike hire scheme.
There was some concern at City Hall that Mr Johnson was “still not 100 per cent reconciled and confident and at ease with the idea” of running again.
However, a Tory source revealed that “Operation Re-elect Boris” was already under way.
Mr Crosby was widely credited with delivering the “doughnut” strategy in 2008, which concentrated on mobilising the Tory vote in the suburbs. It was unclear whether he would be joined by Katie Perrior and Jo Tanner, the iNHouse PR team who successfully turned around his last campaign.
“Lynton is definitely running the show. He's going to be the head honcho of the whole campaign. When he starts depends on fundraising because he doesn't come cheap,” a source said said. “There are donors who have been turned off Cameron for various reasons who may swing their weight behind Boris with one eye on the future.”
Mr Cameron ruled out a quick return to frontline politics for Mr Johnson during the general election campaign.
The Tory leader sought to draw a line under speculation that Mr Johnson was a rival for the party leadership when he said he was “sure” he would run again for City Hall.
Mr Johnson won 43 per cent of first preference votes last time but will face a tougher fight this time as he faces possible public anger at the Tory-led government's swingeing cuts and tax increases.
However, he still remains popular with the London electorate —many of whom view his errors as evidence of authenticity — and City Hall colleagues are confident he will deliver on the majority of his policy promises before the next polling day.
Ken Livingstone said: "Boris Johnson's record at City Hall is no laughing matter. Londoners now see a Tory mayor hitting farepayers, cutting the police, slashing tube ticket office opening hours and protecting polluters.
"Millions of Londoners face serious challenges following yesterday's budget and Boris Johnson will not and does not defend them."
Local government expert Tony Travers said: “Boris has kept his share of the council tax down, while imposing cuts and efficiencies at City Hall. Bus and Tube fares, by contrast, have been allowed to rise.
“This is a pattern George Osborne is now copying at the national level. Labour will doubtless offer higher taxes and lower fares.
“The next mayoral race is already under way.”
Reader views (34)
Melvyn
Can you enlighten us to Windebank speak?
- Gib Rish, Barking, London, 24/06/2010 12:36
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Boris only just scrapped through last time with a majority of just over 100,000 given the mess the CONDEMLITION is making of the country his chances will be as much as the USA winning the world cup!!
Going by some of the commentators they must enjoy seeing millions of pounds being wasted on Borismasters and de-artification a process which means some routes need 50% more buses and drivers to operate is no wonder that routes like the 262 are so bad of people in Ruislip have routes that only run once an hour when the 38 runs 1 a minute sometime with several other routes as well!!!
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island , Essex, 24/06/2010 12:03
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Putting in Ken again at the time of the Olympics is guaranteed to bankrupt London - and Londoners.
- Anna, London, 24/06/2010 10:44
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The worst thing that could happen to London is for this leech to get a second term so he can line his pockets further while doing absolutely no work to improve our capital. The people of London deserve someone who wants to work for them, not someone who just wants to be famous.
- Will, Oval, 23/06/2010 20:27
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I would love it if Boris was Mayor of London again. My only proviso is that he is so charismatic and clever, he is born for the world stage, and truly to fulfill his incredible ability he should have a job either running the country or ... well, maybe he could follow Obama as President. He qualifies because he was born in the US.
He loves the UK though. So maybe PM over here is the way to go.
- angela, London, 23/06/2010 19:00
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So it'll be Boris versus Ken again then. In which case we will see Boris win again then.
- Matt, London, UK, 23/06/2010 18:41
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Excellent, marvellous, go Boris go!
- Pandora's Box, London, 23/06/2010 18:09
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Would you please do something to cheer up the 20 somethings, there is a quiet misery amongst some of them since this election and, these are the ones who have a job! Just don't mention politics to them.
- M, London, 23/06/2010 17:04
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Stephen C - you really must stop your using your GLA email to post comments.
- jc, se1, 23/06/2010 13:44
Damnit, how did you find out?
Boris, I mean Stephen C
- Stephen C, London, 23/06/2010 17:02
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Good!
- M, London, 23/06/2010 16:48
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I suppose I'm pleased, but it's a pity he can't be adding his (very) distinctive input to HM Government-of-the-day. Who knows what convolutions the future may hold?
- Steve, London, England, 23/06/2010 16:43
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In about a year when unemployment has soared and Poshboy and Gideon are about as popular as Bin Laden, the waffling scarecrow will scuttle off to try to be the next PM.
- colin, barking essex, 23/06/2010 16:12
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borris would get my vote,he is much funnyer than ken innit!.lol
- ashley, hackney, 23/06/2010 16:02
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Well, if it keeps Red Ken out of office then so much more the better!!
- mad King george the Fourth, Near Camoludunum East Anglia England UK (Now owned by the Numpties of Brussells), 23/06/2010 14:46
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Boris as Mayor definately better than Ken so lets make it happen
- Patrick Mc Crossan, LONDON, 23/06/2010 14:44
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Well, if Boris allows motorcycles to use bus lanes on a permanent basis (instead of threatening us) and puts some effort into squashing the bike parking tax engineered by his chums in Wastemonster by way of promoting efficient use of PTWs, then he'll get this motorcyclist's vote.
Not that I'd ever vote for the newt-botherer anyway...
- Bandit, Londonistan, 23/06/2010 14:25
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Boris and his fellow money-sucker Coleman are the worst kind of politician, we pay for their holidays and all they do is charge us more to cover up their failings.
I hope you all enjoyed paying for Boris's football holiday, or Coleman's cab bill.
- Kay Burley ate my hamster, Hackney, London, 23/06/2010 14:14
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Leave Boris alone people ! he's one of the best Have I Got News For You contestants there's ever been !
- Peter ex Londoner, Newcastle upon Tyne . Broken Britain, 23/06/2010 14:14
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Good for Boris & London. (No more Ken ever!)
However, if anyone from the GLA reads this, you need to find the money to build the new bridge in Thamesmead that Ken proposed (his one good idea!). River crossings in the east are way too clogged up these days, and are getting worse. So find the money somehow!!
- Scott, Docklands, London, 23/06/2010 14:07
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Boris is passionately devoted to twiddling with the governance of London. I'm passionately devoted to watching him do this, absolutely no clue why....
- Estel, Oxford, 23/06/2010 13:51
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Stephen C - you really must stop your using your GLA email to post comments.
- jc, se1, 23/06/2010 13:44
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Go for it Boris...at least you have a personality and a sense of humour.
- Gary, Lightwater Surrey, 23/06/2010 13:35
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Anything but Ken, we all know what colour london he would rather have
- Dal, Bromley, 23/06/2010 13:22
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Sick of his weasel words and baseless excuses.
Still Ken vs. Boris II is a match up I would pay to see!
Will be a much harder prospect this time round with the mill stone of 2 years of Conservatives government and cuts around his neck...... cannae wait!
- Rob, London, 23/06/2010 13:20
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We say in Kazakhstan, a man who goes to power, must have a big... how you say? How you say...Khram?
- Borat Saghdev, Kazakhstan, 23/06/2010 13:17
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Boris isn't perfect, but at least he hasn't picked everyone's pockets like Ken did, and I am pleased to see the freeze in the council tax precept.
It would be a shame if he removed the hated Kengestion Charge in West London, only to push for idiocy like CO2-based parking charges. But that is what his advisers are promoting.
Ironically, the Tories recently won the council in LB Richmond because the Lib Dems were daft enough to impose these charges upon residents, and there was a public backlash.
Boris would also do well to distance himself from the electric vehicle hype; the technology won't be viable for years and reallocating the money could do a lot to preserve the public services Londoners actually want.
- Jools, London, 23/06/2010 13:12
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Boris probably won't announce he is standing for re-election tomorrow as it will coincide with his lap dog,Brian Coleman,the Chair of the Tory controlled Fire Authority voting himself a 24% or 38% increase in allowances for members of the Fire Authority.
The members of London's fire Authority have received increases in allowances of 1000%(yes,ONE THOUSAND PER CENT )in the last eight years.
So much for the Tory claim that 'we are all in this together'in the new reality of austerity for Public Servants.
Mr Coleman is believed to be the highest paid local councillor in the UK ,receiving over £100,000 of ratepayers money.Double digit increases in allowances for Mr Coleman,sit nicely alongside one £800 taxi fare,(paid by the Fire Authority previously) in his demonstration of his commitment to control of Public expenditure.
- Bill Pitt, Victoria, 23/06/2010 13:02
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Excellent, brightest and most interesting man in world politics.
- Stephen C, London, 23/06/2010 12:57
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Well at least Cameron smiling, less heat of his Leadership.
Now Londoners can we please show some sense & do not ever vote this man back into our office, he never deserved it and we have all learned our lesson the hard way. We need leadership not a buffoon!
- James, London, 23/06/2010 12:56
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Hopefully Boris can beat Red Ken again and send the old fool into retirement once and for all.
- bob forton, london, 23/06/2010 12:53
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Excellent news. Boris is fun and a brilliant ambassador for London. There is no menace behind him or perverse socialist ideology!
It is hard to displace an incumbent, especially after one term and IMPOSSIBLE when that incumbent is very popular and doing a good job for London.
Whatever failure Labour choses to challenge Boris, well you might as well write-off yer chances now!
Hopefully Labour will chose again Livingstone as it will bring back all the corruption, waste, and politically correct appointments that so sickened Londoners, and finally bury the career of Comrade Ken for good!
SO............GO FOR IT BOJO 
- James from Camden, London, 23/06/2010 12:48
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Great news! This man should be PM without a doubt.
- Sanjay, Hounslow, UK, 23/06/2010 12:42
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Nooooooo, please NO... not another 4 years of this numptey,
would've liked to add more of why Boris is a numpty but am seriously hungry.
- ishi, London, 23/06/2010 12:27
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Go on Boris, go for it.
- stuart, chesterfield,derbyshire, 23/06/2010 12:27
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