Archer for Mayor
Former deputy Tory Party chairman Lord Archer says he is "interested" in
running for the job of elected mayor of London - should it prove "a real
job".
"It would be foolish to pretend that I wasn't interested, I have long been interested. I was the youngest member of the Greater London Council, I have lived in London for the last 35 years and, naturally, if we are going to have a Labour Government that would be a good post."
However, Lord Archer said he wanted to see the details of Labour's proposal,
which would put London on the same international footing as New York, Paris and
Barcelona. He said he had given no thought about whether to stand as a Tory, or in his guise as a novelist and celebrity.
So far, Minister for Sport and former GLC chairman Tony Banks and Tory former
minister Steven Norris are names that have been suggested as potential future
mayors.
Plans for a Mayor
Last week's Queen's Speech paved the way for an elected strategic authority
and a mayor to speak for London with a Bill to hold a referendum on the
question.
The Government plans to hold the referendum of Londoners in May next year to
coincide with local government elections in the capital. Detailed proposals will be published after consultation over the summer.
If the Bill is passed and Labour's plans endorsed, further legislation will be
introduced in the summer of 1998 to establish an authority and mayor. Elections would take place in May 2000.
|
