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"Proper Conservative" Boris is right for London, Cameron says

31/03/2008

Boris Johnson's campaign to become the next mayor of London has received the full support of David Cameron.

The Conservative leader appeared alongside his party's candidate in Edmonton, north London today for the final launch of his mayoral campaign.

Mr Cameron said Mr Johnson was twice as charismatic and energetic as his rival Ken Livingstone, who the Tory leader branded a "representative of the Labour government".

He said Mr Livingstone had lost the energy which saw him fight successfully as an independent candidate eight years ago.

"His administration is badly run and bogged down in corruption investigations," Mr Cameron said.

"He's given up his independent status and is now effectively the Labour government's representative."

In contrast, Mr Cameron portrayed the Conservative candidate as a more independent choice.

"I don't always agree with him, but I respect the fact that he is absolutely his own man."

But Mr Cameron said he had been "delighted" at Mr Johnson's decision to run.

The Conservative leader's appearance today is evidence he is increasingly willing to identify his own reputation with Mr Johnson's campaign, which has been praised for its maturity.

Mr Cameron's reputation was considered to have suffered after he campaigned alongside the Conservative candidate in last year's Ealing Southall by-election.

The candidate for "David Cameron's Conservatives" eventually finished third in a personal blow to the Tory leader.

Mr Johnson, however, is now on course to fight Mr Livingstone up to the wire in the election on May 1st, with the Tory candidate ten points ahead in the polls.

Gordon Brown has, in contrast, reportedly "written off" Mr Livingstone's chances of winning a third term as mayor and the prime minister was notable in his absence from the mayor's formal re-election campaign launch.

When Mr Johnson first announced he would stand for mayor of London the Livingstone campaign claimed he would be a "throwback to another era".

But the Conservative team today said it was Mr Livingstone who is out of touch with the real problems facing Londoners, namely rising property prices, crowded public transport and violent crime.

"It all feeds into a broader sense that our quality of life isn't what it should be. Some people say it's inevitable, that it's simply the price we pay for living in a bustling, vibrant metropolis," Mr Cameron said.

"I think that's completely wrong. It doesn't have to be that way."

If elected mayor, Mr Johnson promised to be bolder and more imaginative, pledging a break away from the "bullying" and "intrusive" leadership style of Mr Livingstone.

Mr Cameron said the Henley MP was practical, open-minded and keen to get things done, praising him as a "proper Conservative".