Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage is considering running for London Mayor in 2020
Nigel Farage is considering entering the race to be the next Mayor of London.
The former Ukip leader said that the May 2020 mayoral election would be a chance to “make arguments” on a high-profile platform.
Mr Farage told the Financial Times: “I have been encouraged to [stand] by a group of people, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to,” he said. “I haven’t said no to it, I’m thinking about it.”
With current Mayor of London Sadiq Khan the favourite to secure a second term, a bid by Mr Farage could see the Conservatives pushed into third place.
“The Tory party are very actively aware that if I did stand, they would probably come third, and they are afraid of that,” he added.
Mr Farage quit as Ukip leader in July 2016 following the EU referendum. Currently an MEP, he will lose his position when the UK leaves the EU next March.
He has stood unsuccessfully for parliament seven times, despite being elected three times as an MEP.
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Mr Farage has previously criticised Mr Khan over London’s crime rate, saying the mayor should spend “a bit less time slagging off Donald Trump and a bit more time getting to grips with crime”.
Next month, the Tories will pick a challenger from a shortlist including London Assembly members Shaun Bailey and Andrew Boff and Ealing councillor Joy Morrissey.