Thursday, 27th September 2007

Boris wins Tory mayoral primary

Matthew d'Ancona 9:44am

It was the Spec wot won it….well, not quite. But I like to think that our ferocious, implacable support for Boris played a small part in persuading London voters to choose him as their Tory mayoral candidate by an overwhelming margin (75 per cent of the 20,019 votes). Then again, what else were they going to do? My venerated predecessor as Editor is a giant of a politician, and his selection as the Conservative contender was – with the greatest respect to his rivals – never much in doubt. Here, at last, is a candidate who not only has the charisma and the policies to take on Ken and win. He has what it takes to wrest London from Labour’s hands and, in so doing, wipe the smile off the governing party’s collective face. Imagine if both Edinburgh and London were out of Labour control. Imagine how that would rock Gordon Brown’s confidence and challenge the new orthodoxy that Labour is destined for a fourth general election victory. The point is: Boris’s selection is a glorious moment, but it is only the end of the beginning. The best is yet to come.

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AnyonebutBrown

September 27th, 2007 10:45am Report this comment

Whatever happens it will be a colourful campaign. Matthew - I really like the new coffee house layout but I'm finding your website grindingly slow. Am I the only one?

hogarth zombie

September 27th, 2007 10:53am Report this comment

yes, Boris can show the Tories that they don't have to lose and that there's nothing inevitable in Labour victory. this will do the party twice as much good as Dave's speech next week

Perry

September 27th, 2007 12:06pm Report this comment

Very encouraging – and should bring heart to those of us who long for energy and cogent application to the mass (and mess) of work that desperately needs attention. Well done Boris! - and please remember that we await, in due course, your appearance as PM. [Matthew, - congratulations on the new Coffee House layout.]

Perry

September 27th, 2007 12:32pm Report this comment

[off subject] Matthew, - where's the Coffee House pointer to Tamsin? Where IS Tamsin?? - how can the week end properly without her? Hope she's in the Mag.

Val Savarese

September 27th, 2007 1:21pm Report this comment

I'voting for Boris. But, and its a big but, he will have to sharpen up his act. He was given a bit of a mauling at 07.50 on the To-day prog. by Jim McNautie. Boris sounded hesitant and not punchy enough

Marc S.

September 27th, 2007 6:05pm Report this comment

In light of Hillary's congenital humourlessness (Coffee House, 27 Sep-"Now for something truly horrible"), it will be a genuine pleasure to watch--from my stateside perch in Tennessee--Boris storm London's parapets. Good on yer, mate; and into the breech with you!

Bob maddon

September 28th, 2007 10:36pm Report this comment

No I don't like this layout. the main, centre, column is too narrow I find it dificult to read. to much optical shifting. I's givng me a headache. can we have it wider,please?

David Mitchell

September 29th, 2007 10:51am Report this comment

I have huge respect for Boris - his academic status, his intellect and his wit BUT he is going to have to show his serious side and his ability to demonstrate and admnister very clear policies for London, otherwise those ignorant of his rather too hidden abilities may just dismiss him as a 'Tory Twit' and a huge opprtunity to get rid of Ken will have been lost. Go for it Boris!