Fulham MP launches bid for first Tory borough mayor in London

A former Conservative Cabinet minister was today launching a bid to get the first directly-elected Tory borough mayor elected in London.

Greg Hands, a former chief secretary to the Treasury, wants Hammersmith and Fulham council to switch from the traditional “leader and cabinet” system to being run by an executive mayor.

The system, which concentrates more power in borough leader, was devised by Tony Blair and introduced in 2000. It is used in Labour-run Hackney, Newham, Lewisham and Tower Hamlets.

Mr Hands, the MP for Chelsea and Fulham, said: “Residents would benefit from a single point of accountability for council tax levels and the delivery of great local council services.”

Stephen Greenhalgh, a former deputy London mayor to Boris Johnson and former council leader, is likely to be the Tory candidate if the system is chosen.

Five per cent of voters — 6,313 people — must back the idea for it to be put to a referendum. If the change is passed, elections would be in May 2022.

Mr Greenhalgh said: “Hammersmith & Fulham residents deserve a directly-elected Mayor who is accountable to them ... Then the buck would stop with the Mayor.”

Steve Cowan, Labour leader of Hammersmith & Fulham council, said: “If they had a directly elected mayor, we would win it.

“Five years ago Hammersmith and Fulham was known as David Cameron’s favourite Tory council and was seen as unwinnable by Labour. But in 2014 [council elections] Labour had a landslide. In last year’s election we had the biggest swing to Labour in the country in a competitive area.”