Tories delay mayoral decision

The Conservatives have announced a six month delay in their process of selecting a candidate for the next London mayoral elections.

Party chairman Francis Maude's announcement came after claims the party had failed to find any 'big name' candidates to lead its fight against Labour's Ken Livingstone.

The deadline for nominations had been due to pass on Friday, but it will now be postponed until next spring.

Maude said that with the elections not due until 2008, there was no need to rush the process of selecting a candidate.

And the delay would allow some "very serious" potential candidates more time to consider whether or not to stand.

"Eight weeks ago we set out plans to give every Londoner the chance to become the Conservative Party's candidate for mayor of London, and to give all Londoners the chance to play a part in the selection process," the Tory chairman said.

"Since then we have received a number of excellent applications. This has been extremely encouraging.

"We have also received expressions of interest from a number of very serious potential candidates for whom the timescale we originally set is too restrictive.

"Given that the mayoral elections are still nearly two years away, we are therefore extending the deadline to give these and others the chance to come forward.

"We want as wide a range of people as possible to take part in this exciting and innovative process with a view to selecting a candidate next spring."

But Labour Party chairman Hazel Blears said the Conservatives "have descended into farce by now deciding to move their own mayoral candidate deadline in an attempt to find someone people might recognise".