Zac Goldsmith: I’ll run for Mayor and trigger by-election

Tory mayoral frontrunner Zac Goldsmith today committed to run for the post “come what may” in his campaign against Heathrow expansion.

The Tory MP confirmed he would stick to his pledge of triggering a by-election in his Richmond Park seat if the third runway went ahead. But he admitted that he did not want to fight two election campaigns at the same time, so would choose to continue with his City Hall bid.

In his first broadcast interview since declaring he was running, Mr Goldsmith also spoke of his expulsion from Eton after cannabis was found in his room — but insisted it had not been his. The real owner was not divulged.

The mayoral hopeful, favourite to win the Tory selection, said he was “absolutely convinced” that the Government would not give a green light to Heathrow expansion, despite the recent recommendation of the Davies Commission — and suggestions that the Chancellor is in favour.

“I’m committed to triggering a by-election, I’m not committed to standing in a by-election,” he said. “I will continue to seek my party’s nomination as mayoral candidate come what may and I will do the best job I possibly can.” He added: “I would not fight two election campaigns at the same time. I could not do that. I would not want to do that. And the two are in some ways in conflict.

“A mayoral campaign is not just about Richmond Park and North Kingston, nor is it just about Heathrow, it is about all the other issues that London faces.”

Mr Goldsmith denied that he was a rebel, instead describing himself as “independent minded”.

“Frankly I think that to be a good MP, or indeed a good Mayor, you have to be independent minded. You have to remind yourself you’re there to represent the people who sent you there, you’re not there to be some kind of ambassador for your party,” he said.

“That on occasion has made me a pain in the backside in Parliament but on the big issues it hasn’t.”

The Tory MP was expelled from Eton when he was found to be in possession of cannabis at the age of 16.

“I was asked to leave early, do I really have to say this on radio? I broke a rule … some cannabis was found in my room,” he revealed on LBC radio.