Tory London Mayoral race thrown into chaos as former frontrunner calls for u-turn
London mayoral hopeful Samuel Kasumu – whose candidacy was blocked by the social gathering earlier this yr – has urged Conservative Party chairman Greg Hands to restart the complete course of.
Despite being the bookmaker’s favorite to win the nomination, and regardless of being the primary candidate to succeed in 100 nominations, together with that of former ERG chairman Steve Baker MP, Mr Kasumu’s hopes had been dashed when he was not added to the provisional longlist for interviews by the Conservative London Board.
The race for the suitable to problem Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan was thrown into turmoil when Daniel Korski confirmed he was pulling out of the competition after tv producer Daisy Goodwin accused him of groping her a decade in the past.
The Tories subsequently confirmed the race would go forward with the 2 remaining candidates, Mozammel Hossain and Susan Hall, with hustings happening as scheduled from June 12 to July 3.
However, in a press release launched this night, Mr Kasumu mentioned: “Unfortunately, the selection process risks being permanently tainted.
“The London Board were allowed to decide who should be put forward to Party members without any real transparency or mechanisms for accountability.
“There was no higher body to stress test the quality of the decision-making process. No mechanism for appeal. In any other working environment that would not be acceptable.
“There should of course be a future opportunity to learn lessons, part of wider democratic reform.”
In a direct enchantment to Chelsea and Fulham MP Mr Hands, he continued: “On the question of what happens next with the mayoral candidate selection – there is still time for a positive outcome.
“The selection process could be reopened, with more direct involvement from members.”
A candidate wanted to be in place by autumn’s social gathering convention, Mr Kasumu pressured.
He added: “We have time to select the best candidate with a mandate and the widespread support of our members.
“Chairman, it’s not too late. I urge you to restart the selection process.
“Sadiq Khan can be defeated, but only if we have the right person taking him on.
“The Conservative Party cannot be seen to be giving up on London.”
Choosing to not interview him “sent the worst possible message about who we are as a party today”, Mr Kasumu claimed.
He continued: “To everyone that shares my background and to every young person who is looking for a voice in the public realm, the signal my experience has sent is that we simply do not care.
“That politics trumps any semblance of fairness and humanity. That if you speak up too loudly about what matters you will be silenced.
“I hope that is something that will be reflected on internally.”
Explaining his resolution to drag out yesterday, Mr Korski mentioned: “I have decided, with a heavy heart, to withdraw from the Conservative mayoral contest.
“I categorically deny the allegation in opposition to me. Nothing was ever put to me formally 10 years in the past. Nor seven years in the past when the allegation was alluded to. No investigation has ever taken place. I’ve been clear I might welcome and constructively take part in any investigation.
“However, the pressure on my family because of this false and unproven allegation and the inability to get a hearing for my message of The London Dream makes it impossible for my campaign to carry on.
“The news agenda is changing into a distraction from the race and the Conservative Party.”