Boris stands for London mayor
Updated on 16 July 2007
Boris Johnson is standing for London mayor and he is already on the campaign trail.
The Conservative MP for Henley held a photo call at City Hall to promote his nomination, but he was mobbed by the media and escaped on his bike.
He said: "It's a riot," then rode off on his bike.
He added: "I think it is amazing that people do not want to do this job. It is an amazing city.
"I'm thrilled and excited, but we are at a very early stage."
He has resigned as higher education spokesman in Conservative leader David Cameron's front bench team to concentrate on the race for mayor but will remain as a constituency MP.
His announcement, after weeks of agonising, came just hours before the deadline for applications for the Conservative nomination to stand against Labour's Ken Livingstone in next year's election.
More than 40 would-be candidates have submitted their names and a committee will now whittle them down to a short list to go forward to an open primary election, with voting in September.
The party's choice is expected to be unveiled at its annual autumn conference in Blackpool.
Earlier Mr Johnson said: "London is an outstandingly varied and beautiful place and it deserves a proper debate. I want to bring fresh ideas to the capital and offer a new direction for Londoners.
"I believe that the Mayor of London should keep things simple and direct his or her intellectual energy at the core problems that affect people's everyday lives.
"Even the greatest cities have further greatness in them. I will stand for a greater London and for putting the smile back on London's face."
He said he plans to announce detailed proposals later in the summer.
