Boris Johnson facing 'part-time mayor' tag amid election speculation

Labour is planning to launch a full-scale assault on Boris Johnson, labelling him a man with two part-time jobs if he stands for a seat in the House of Commons before quitting as Mayor in 2016.

Senior party sources say Ed Miliband is backing the attack, which would be spearheaded by shadow London minister Sadiq Khan.

It follows fresh evidence that Mr Johnson intends to become an MP in 2015, a full year before his term ends at City Hall.

Mr Khan told the Standard: “Boris Johnson has stopped hiding the fact that he is a part-time Mayor. The greatest city in the world needs a full-time Mayor committed to London. Johnson has simply lost interest.

“He has no vision for the future of London but only cares about his own future as leader of the Conservative party.

“He will leave no legacy whatsoever to young Londoners or his successor as Mayor. If the Tory party really are considering him as their next leader, I wish them well.”

A senior Labour source added: “We will be pointing out that a Mayor whose focus is on his political ambitions at Westminster is not focusing on the real life problems that the people of London are now facing.”

Sources close to the Mayor say he hopes to announce over the summer that he is standing for a seat.

Evening Standard reported this month that the Mayor hoped an early announcement would avoid speculation overshadowing the Tory conference in the autumn. But some friends are advising him to do nothing until next year, in the belief that a safe seat could come free a few months before the May general election.

Former Labour Mayor Ken Livingstone claimed his successor was already neglecting his day job, so returning to Parliament would make no difference to the capital.

He said: “London is leaderless now. He’s finished all the projects I started but he hasn’t initiated anything new... Whoever is elected in 2016 will have to move incredibly fast so London isn’t left behind.