Jowell confirms she will seek Labour nomination for London Mayor

Dame Tessa Jowell, widely seen as a Labour frontrunner for London Mayor, has confirmed she will seek the party nomination to run in 2016. Speaking to a Labour fundraiser in Ealing, west London tonight, Jowell said that when the selection race starts in May next year she will give it her “best shot” – but won’t make any formal announcement until then.

According to people at the fundraiser, the Dulwich and West Norwood MP told party members:

“I keep being asked about the London Mayoral campaign. When the Mayoral race starts, I’ll give it my best shot.”

“I’ll announce properly with balloons and stuff.”

Only last month, Jowell said that she was “preparing my plan” for London and the latest Evening Standard poll made her favourite in the race.

Jowell joins David Lammy and Christian Wolmar as confirmed candidates for the race, which will take place between May and July next year, before the election in May 2016.