Johnson gets official backing

With policies as far ranging as abolishing bendy buses and getting more Londoners to cycle to work, conservative candidate Boris Johnson, is as short as evens at some places to be the next London Mayor.

Johnson, who has found a place in the public psyche due to his frequent, and humourous, appearances on TV, which included chairing Have I got News for You, has split the voting London public.

One side are firmly behind the ex-editor of The Spectator as they believe he brings a touch of humanity to an otherwise staid political landscape. These supporters are all for the man who famously declared "the Tory Part will get your wife bigger breasts and a BMW M3." Their feeling is it is about time a politician said it how it is.

On the other hand some Londoners believe he is an error-prone buffoon who has already caused consternation in Liverpool when he said the city "wallowed in it's victim status." The people of Liverpool have never forgiven him, depsite his numerous apologies, and the belief amongst some Londoners is that it is only a matter of time before the Eton-educated Johnson commits and equally subtantial gaffe.

Following confirmation that he will be the official Conservative candidate, bookmakers William Hill have seen money for Johnson to become the next London Mayor and have shortened his price, originally as long as 20/1,  from 15/8 to Even money. Despite the support Hills rate Ken Livingstone as their narrow 4/5 favourite, Brian Paddick is a 14/1 outsider and former boxer Winston Mckenzie a 100/1 outsider, despite placing £100 on himself to win.

"Boris Johnson has really caught the public's imagination and has been slashed from a 20/1 outsider to evens and we would not surprised if he becomes favourite in the next few days," said Hill's spokesman Rupert Adams.

If Johnson does win next year's election the seat will be a great place to gain popularity and the current 33/1 on him being the next conservative party leader could well shorten as he gets more and more air-space. On the other hand it could be a disaster to give him such a platform...

2008 London Mayoral Election: 4/5 Ken Livingstone, 1/1 Boris Johnson, 14/1 B Paddick, 100/1 Winston Mckenzie (William Hill)

(Editor's Note: Should Johnson stick to TV rather than compete for the serious position of London Mayor? Or is he just what London needs? Take your vote now on William Hill!)