Deputy Mayor of London selected as Conservative candidate for the general election

The Deputy Mayor of London is set to join Boris Johnson in the House of Commons after being chosen as Conservative candidate for the safe seat of Kensington. Victoria Borwick, a member of the London Assembly, is the fourth senior Tory at City Hall hoping to become an MP in May.

The mayor is standing in Uxbridge, while assembly members Kit Malthouse and James Cleverly are candidates in rural constituencies in south east England. Borwick’s selection could pose a problem for Johnson if the Conservatives are embroiled in a post-election leadership contest.

The Mayor would need his formal deputy to hold take over at City Hall if he replaced David Cameron as Tory leader. But if Borwick has a second job as a Member of Parliament, it is unclear if she could also carry out the duties of London mayor. Kensington Tories chose Borwick at a selection meeting last night following the recent resignation of sitting MP Sir Malcolm Rifkind.