Tory underdog for London Mayor lands shock boost as two ex-Cabinet Ministers endorse his campaign
A TORY underdog for London Mayor bagged a shock boost today as two ex-Cabinet Ministers endorsed his campaign.
Ex-No10 adviser Samuel Kasumu won the backing of former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi and former Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries.
The Conservative MPs were big backers of Boris Johnson and supported the idea of a comeback bid last year.
Mr Kasumu has vowed to scrap Sadiq Khan’s controversial ULEZ emissions tax if he wins the keys to City Hall.
London Tories Andrew Boff, Nick Rogers and Susan Hall are all having a tilt to be the party’s candidate in next year’s election.
And Minister for London Paul Scully is expected to announce his campaign this week, with ex-Education Secretary Kit Malthouse also considering a bid.
Throwing his weight behind Mr Kasumu – a councillor – Mr Zahawi said: “Samuel has not only demonstrated his commitment to serving his country, but more importantly I have seen first-hand his willingness to go the extra mile for the greater good.
“There is nothing that would make me happier than seeing Samuel in City Hall as the next Mayor of London.”
Ms Dorries told him on her TalkTV show: “Someone with your personality, with your warmth, and your ambition, I think you will do really well.
“I’ve known you since you were very very young, and you are someone with that open, transparent, and warm attitude towards doing the job.”
Fellow Tory MP Daniel Kawczynski also gave his support to Mr Kasumu.
Previously Boris Johnson’s communities guru, he claims to have been the most “senior black adviser in government” before quitting in 2021.
In a resignation letter – later retracted – he blasted the then PM for pursuing a “politics steeped in division” and said minority voters were less likely to choose the party.