Teaching Comparative Government and Politics

Friday, August 08, 2014

Insider politics in the UK

Just a reminder that there are no residency requirements for MPs in the UK. Thus, a candidate, even one as prominent as London Mayor Boris Johnson, needs to find a constituency (district) willing to have him as its representative. Which district would you choose to run in?

Boris Johnson to seek 2015 Commons return

Mayor Johnson

Boris Johnson has ended months of speculation by saying he will seek to become an MP again at next year's general election.

But he said it was "highly unlikely" he would one day stand to become Conservative leader, replacing David Cameron, as there was "no vacancy".

Mr Johnson also promised to serve his term as London mayor, ending in 2016.

The prime minister said it was "great news" that Mr Johnson was planning to return to Parliament.

The mayor has been linked with a number of parliamentary seats, including Uxbridge and South Ruislip, in north-west London, but he said he did not have a particular target in mind…

Where might Boris Johnson stand in 2015?

London Mayor Boris Johnson has said he wants to return to the Commons at next year's general election. But where might he stand?

Uxbridge and South Ruislip - VACANCY

Former deputy chief whip John Randall is standing down. A new candidate will be selected by mid-September.

Conservative majority: 11,216

South Cambridgeshire - VACANCY

Former Leader of the House and former Health Secretary Andrew Lansley is standing down.

Conservative majority: 7,838

North-west Hampshire - CANDIDATE SELECTED

Chief Whip and former Leader of the House Sir George Young is standing down.

Cathy Ossleton, deputy chairman of the North-West Hampshire Conservatives, has already said she would be "very happy" to have Mr Johnson as MP.

The party has already selected Kit Malthouse, deputy mayor of London for business and enterprise.

Conservative majority: 18,583

Louth and Horncastle - CANDIDATE SELECTED

Sir Peter Tapsell - the longest serving MP in the House of Commons - is standing down. He is reported to have told David Cameron that he was "keeping his seat warm for Boris".

The local party have already selected lawyer Victoria Atkins.

Conservative majority: 13,871

Hertsmere - VACANCY

Current MP James Clappison is standing down.

Conservative majority: 17,605

Bury St Edmunds - VACANCY

Current MP David Ruffley has resigned after being cautioned for assaulting his partner.

Conservative majority: 12,380

Richmond Park - MP RESELECTED

The current MP is Zac Goldsmith, who has said in the past he could make way for Mr Johnson

Conservative majority: 4,091

Kensington - MP RESELECTED

Current MP Sir Malcolm Rifkind, former cabinet minister under Margaret Thatcher and John Major, was at the centre of speculation he could make way for Mr Johnson by retiring but his association says he has been re-selected and will stand

Conservative majority: 8,616

Banbury - MP RESELECTED

Current MP Sir Tony Baldry, former cabinet minister under John Major, has not been reselected yet, was at the centre of speculation he could make way for Mr Johnson by retiring but his association say he has been re-selected and will stand

Conservative majority: 18,227