In an effort to break the Tory party's “stale, male and pale” image, some senior Tories are recommending non-white contenders to be on the shortlist of London mayoral candidates. The party chiefs are drawing up the shortlist to include three non-white candidates amid fears that the front-runner, Justine Greening, may be perceived as a part of the establishment and will not prosper in the capital.
Shaun Bailey, a member of the London assembly and a former parliamentary candidate, is in the frame as a serious contender. Syed Kamall, who is one of the party's London MEP and sought the nomination last time, is another likely choice. Another probably candidate in the shortlist is Kulveer Ranger. Kulveer was director of transport when Boris Johnson was running the City Hall. However, there have been some questions regarding his experience as a front runner of a high-profile campaign.
Justine Greening, former education secretary, resigned form the cabinet in January and has since pitched herself as a working-class voice. A source told The Times, “Justine doesn't think she is part of the establishment but she has only just left the cabinet. We are likely to lose anyway, so it is better to send a visible message to voters that we are changing”.
