Tessa Jowell plans to run for London Mayor in 2016 as Labour candidate in fight to succeed Boris Johnson
Veteran Labour MP and former cabinet minister Tessa Jowell has thrown her hat in the ring for the race to succeed Boris Johnson as London Mayor in 2016.
The former culture secretary told the BBC she is "certainly planning to run" for mayor. However, she added that now "isn't time for a formal declaration".
Jowell will stand down as MP for Dulwich and West Norwood so she can prepare for the race. Speaking to the Evening Standard, she said "I intend to bring a plan for London that will be bold, ambitious, and will meet the aspirations of all Londoners".
Dame Tessa is widely seen as the front runner for the Labour nomination.
The only formally declared candidate so far is Tottenham MP David Lammy who told CityAM back in September:
I see people with jobs who can’t get housing and Londoners without jobs too. In a sense this great city is in danger of missing the opportunities of the 21st century.
Every single employer that I’ve spoken to is raising this as their number one issue because they can’t attract the talent they need and keep that talent here in London.
Others touted to run for the Labour nomination include left wing MP and TV broadcaster Dianne Abbott and Ed Miliband ally Sadiq Khan.