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Penny Mordant is being put forward as the Conservative Party’s next candidate for mayor of London, sources have said.
Insiders said Ms. Mordant “checked all the boxes” and the team discussed her possible candidacy.
A source said: “They are looking for a superstar candidate but they don’t have one in London.”
Another added that such a move would “remove him from the scene”, seen by some in the party as a potential challenge to the leadership, given that he has been given a fairly high-profile job.
A senior party source confirmed there have been discussions about lining up against former MP Sadiq Khan in the next election.
Penny Mordant, holding the Sword of State walking before King Charles III at his coronation
London Mayor Sadiq Khan during Diwali celebrations in the square on October 27.
Insiders said Ms. Mordant “checked all the boxes” and the team discussed her possible candidacy.
Mordant’s advisers say she wonders if she can do it and still return as an MP.
The former leader of the House of Commons, who carried a ceremonial sword at the coronation of King Charles at Westminster Abbey last year, was widely seen as the successor to Rishi Sunak’s leadership before losing his Portsmouth North seat in July. He is seen as eager to return to frontline politics.
But a source close to Mordant said she was busy helping party president Richard Fuller with a project aimed at helping new leader Kimi Badenoch.
Ms Mordant was recently rumored to be considering standing for Mr Sunak’s constituency if he resigned earlier than expected.
There was speculation that the former prime minister and his former vice-president, Sir Oliver Dowden, were prepared to resign their seats and provoke a by-election.
A ULEZ zone sign in Bromley, Greater London (file photo)
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced plans to ban traffic on part of London’s Oxford Street (file photo)
Sources close to Mordant denied the reports at the time.
Mordant did not endorse any candidate in the Conservative leadership election and said the work he does for the party requires him to remain neutral. Last month he was forced to distance himself from Robert Genrique’s campaign.
Jenrick posted a photo of himself with Mordant with the caption: “I offer a united party: a plan, a policy, people and a few cents.” He later told reporters that he had not given permission to use his photograph.
