Susan Hall has been selected as the Conservative Party’s candidate for London mayor.
The former leader of the Conservative group at the London Assembly will face the incumbent, Labour’s Sadiq Khan, at an election next May.
The former leader of Harrow Council has previously been vocal in her support for Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Donald Trump.
The self-described “Harrow girl done good” stepped down as leader of the Conservative group in May, but built a reputation as a fierce opponent of the planned ultra-low emission zone expansion.
In her pitch to party members, she said her focus would be ULEZ and policing, but added that she would radically change the city’s housing policy direction.
“On housing, I will amend the London Plan to promote an increase in affordable family homes, instead of tower blocks and one-bedroom flats,” she wrote on the Conservative Home website. “My mayoralty will focus on creating homes that allow families to grow. I would reinstate the Public Land Commission to tell us what disused public land can be used to build more homes that Londoners desperately need, and I will adjust the London Plan to allow developers to provide more parking spaces on site, to avoid the need for controlled parking zones in surrounding roads.”
The Liberal Democrats will choose between tech adviser Rob Blackie and community advocate Chris French, and the Greens have chosen Hackney councillor Zoë Garbett as their candidate.
Khan, who has been mayor since 2016 is seen as the favourite to win an historic third term.
But Hall said: “Khan is beatable,” adding: “I am the safer bet and I won’t pull any punches.”
Higher profile potential runners, including London minister Paul Scully and Number 10 race adviser Samuel Kasumu failed to make the Conservatives’ shortlist.
Daniel Korsi dropped out of the race following allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a woman, which he denies.
Hall beat the final shortlisted member, barrister Mozammel Hossain, in a ballot of Tory members, winning 57% of the vote.
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