The race to become the Conservative Party’s challenger for Sadiq Khan is well and truly on, with the deadline for initial applicants fast approaching. The process opened on May 9^th and candidates are now frantically fighting to build support before nominations close in a weeks time – on May 22^nd. Co-conspirators may have noticed some campaigns have already taken to buying up political ad space…

After CCHQ does an initial ‘paper sift’ of candidates on May 25^th, the list will be whittled down to eight, with two reserves, before a final shortlist of two or three candidates is decided on June 4^th. Hustings will take place from June 12^th to July 3^rd before voting opens to members from July 4^th to July 18^th. A Conservative candidate will be confirmed on the 19^th, with plenty of time to prepare for their showdown with Sadiq next year on May 2^nd 2024. For the sake of Londoners’ lungs, it can’t come soon enough.