Tory MS fails to be shortlisted for London mayor bid
A Welsh Conservative Senedd member who launched a campaign to become the next mayor of London has been unsuccessful in her bid to replace Sadiq Khan.
Shadow Minister for Transport and Technology and South Wales East MS, Natasha Asghar announced in May that she had put in an application to become a Conservative mayor of London candidate.
Ms Asghar’s video announcement – which saw her walking through the streets of London – came just 11 days after she declared in the Senedd that she was a “resident” of Newport and was concerned about the introduction of 3 weekly bin collections.
Although her campaign launch was criticised by both opposition parties and sources within the Welsh Conservatives, the South Wales East MS defended her London mayor bid saying she had a “real understanding of what the big issues are that Londoners face”.
Ms Asghar described the news that she had not made it to the Tory shortlist as “disappointing”.
Former Downing Street adviser Daniel Korski, London Assembly Member Susan Hall and Mozammel Hossain KC were chosen for shortlist instead and after a series of hustings, London party members will vote between July 4 and 18, with a winner being announced on July 19.
“Disappointing”
Natasha Asghar said in a statement: “Whilst it is disappointing not to have made it further in this process, the experience has been great.
“Ambition is never something we should be ashamed of, nor should anyone shame us for it, and I knew that if I didn’t put my name forward now, it’s something I would’ve regretted for the rest of my life.
“I must say a huge thank you to all those who called, emailed, and sent messages of support from both ends of the M4, my supportive constituents for their unwavering backing and to my Conservative colleagues for their encouragement and kind words.
“As has always been the case, my constituents in South East Wales remain my number one priority and I will continue to serve them to the best of my ability.
“I very much look forward to helping them and raising their concerns and issues in the Welsh Parliament for years to come.”
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My initial thought was LOLOLOLOL!!
My second thought that we are now stuck with her!! 🙁
Voters in S.E.Wales need to make sure that after next election she has no alternative other than walking the streets of London! Out on her neck.
Maybe she’ll defect to Labour! Anything’s possible with these bunch of chancers.
This is not a surprise Conservative MS Natasha Asghar failed to become a candidate for London Mayor. Although I’m glad in a way she revealed her true intention as it now shows all her loyality & focus was never to Wales or her constituents but to the City of London and the SE of England.
How can she say that ,” As has always been the case, the constituents in South East Wales remain my number one priority”, when she was trying to become mayor of London?
She’s a Tory. That’s the sort of thing Tories say. Does loyalty have a £ sign attached to it? If not, not interested.
“As has always been the case, my constituents in South East Wales remain my number one priority and I will continue to serve them to the best of my ability”…..until something she thinks is better comes along 😉.
After the contempt she has shown for her constituents in south east wales i sincerely hope she’ll now do the decent thing and stand down from the Senedd.
Make her a cup of tea and give her a day off from the Senedd.
What we need to remember is that as long as the Tories in SE Wales still; back her, we’re stuck with her! She’s a ‘List’ member, and if the Tories receive enough list votes, she’ll be back in despite all her gerrymandering. But then, her father defected from Plaid Cymru to Tory when he tried to employ her as his support staff, and when he was refused, she went with him and the Tories allowed him to employ her, despite general embargo on employing of family members ( Andrew R T Davies still employs his wife at a large salary!).… Read more »
Even more disappointing would be if a Tory were to become the next Mayor of London (or of anywahere, if it comes to that).
So you agree with everything that Khan has done to the Londoners?
Amazing.
Well done on applying for the job, it’s always going to look great on your CV. Keep on campaigning here in Wales, because this Welsh labour government have gone too far in the name of democracy. They’re letting the health service down, and wasting vast amounts of cash. Get on and fight!
It’s probably for the best for her.
The other day she came out shouting against 20mph speed limits in Wales.
If she knew London as well as she thinks she does, she would see that 20mph zones have been in play there for at least a year.