Labour MP Diane Abbott has announced her plans to run for London Mayor in 2016, with the hope of replacing current mayor Boris Johnson.
Abbott, who became the first black female MP in 1987 and who is currently the MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington announced her candidacy on Sunday.
Abbott previously contested Labour’s leadership and told ITV news that she plans to run as an independent candidate. In 2013 she resigned from her post as shadow Public Health Secretary after being accused of being disloyal to the Labour party; Abbott has always been vocal about her disapproval of certain policies, particularly when it comes to immigration and housing.
“A great many people have been pressing me for some time to throw my hat in the ring and in the end I decided that because London needs a genuinely independent candidate, London needs a candidate that will fight to make London more affordable for ordinary Londoners,” she told ITV news.
“I also think London needs a voice that will stand up against some of the anti-immigrant propaganda that we’re hearing.”
“I want to be a unifying candidate and I want to be a candidate that runs a pluralistic campaign. I think the campaign is absolutely wide open.”
David Lammy (MP for Tottenham) and former Culture Secretary Dame Tessa Jowell have also expressed an interest in running for the position. Like Abbott, Lammy has been vocally critical of Labour’s leadership, recently stating that the part has ‘lost touch’ with the working class.
Jowell, who became the third candidate to announce her intention to run, plans to step down form her post as MP for Dulwich and West Norwood to focus on her campaign.
“I intend to bring a plan for London that will be bold, ambitious, and will meet the aspirations of all Londoners,” she told the Guardian.
“The mayor of London has the power to make a profound and lasting difference to the lives of millions of Londoners.”
Meanwhile, current Mayor Boris Johnson is vying to become an MP, with the hope of becoming MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip.
