Westminster Council leader joins race to be Conservative Mayor of London candidate
Cllr Phillipa Roe - Credit: Archant
The leader of Westminster Council has thrown her hat into the ring in the fight today to become the Conservative Party’s candidate for Mayor of London.
Cllr Philippa Roe will be vying against Zac Goldsmith, Tory MP for Richmond Park and Syed Kamall, Conservative MEP, in the battle to replace Boris Johnson.
Cllr Roe has vowed to put housing, jobs, transport and security at the top of her agenda if she ends up in City Hall.
She said: “I want to make sure every child across the 32 boroughs and the City of London receive the best education possible, that we attract the best employers to the capital to ensure our school leavers and graduates secure jobs and that each one of our individual boroughs provide decent and affordable homes for our ever growing population.
“I want to take everything I have learnt from running what is often described as the capital’s capital and use my knowledge and experience for a London-wide approach.
“I believe I am now ready to make the next step up and deliver successfully for all Londoners.”
Cllr Roe, who became a councillor in Westminster in 2006, was appointed cabinet member for housing under the council’s then leader, Sir Simon Milton, who became Mr Johnson’s chief of staff in 2008 before his death in 2012.
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She will launch her manifesto for London at a later date.
Backing her candidacy, Baroness Anne Jenkin of Kennington, said: “Philippa is a capable and credible candidate. Not only was she born and brought up here, she has spent her entire working life in London, has run small businesses and worked in the City.
“She clearly understands not just as a resident but from the business perspective what is required to make sure London remains a successful global city for everyone.”
