Tory party hoping Boris will raise conference spirits

  • London
The Mayor of London will make a speech at the Conservative conference on Tuesday

The Prime Minister says Boris Johnson will have to serve out his time as London mayor before joining any future cabinet.

David Cameron was speaking at this year’s Conservative conference, which has been overshadowed by a defection and a sex scandal.

More than ever party bosses will be looking to Johnson - always a ‘conference darling’ - to raise spirits.

And this year London’s mayor has an extra reason to tickle and motivate the party faithfully - he’s a general election candidate. He was selected earlier this month to stand in the safe seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

It raises the intriguing possibility of a job in the cabinet if the Conservatives win next May. But Mr Cameron gave a clear signal today the mayor will have to wait until he steps down from his job at City Hall in 2016: