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6 Seats Boris Johnson Could Return To Parliament From In 2015

6 Seats Boris Johnson Could Return To Parliament From
Ned Simons
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Pretty much everyone saw it coming, but Boris Johnson has announced he will stand in the 2015 general election - if he can find a seat.

Some local Tory constituencies have yet to pick their candidate for the next election which gives Boris a chance to throw his hat into the ring. However in other cases he would need to persuade the sitting MP to stand aside. Here are six possible launchpads the mayor could use to return to the Commons.

Where Could Boris Stand?
Uxbridge, London(01 of06)
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One constituency that would suit Boris is the London seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip, which will select its candidate in the next two weeks, certainly the most likely at this time. (credit:Ewan Munro/Flickr/PA )
Kensington, London(02 of06)
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Top of any list of seats for Boris must be affluent Kensington in west London. Currently held by former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind with a majority of 8,616, it would be the perfect platform for the mayor. Rifkind has not shown any sign of wanting to step aside, but could he be persuaded to give up his Commons seat in exchange for one in the Lords?
Richmond Park, London(03 of06)
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Richmond Park in south west London would suit Boris well. And there have long been rumours that incumbent Tory Zac Goldsmith would be willing to give it up for the mayor. However with a majority of 4,091 it is not exactly safe. And would Boris want to lose Goldsmith as an ally in the Commons?
Banbury, Oxfordshire(04 of06)
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If Boris is willing to find a seat outside of London then Banbury in Oxfordshire could be ideal. It has been suggested that incumbent Tory MP Tony Baldry might be in line for a peerage. With a Conservative majority of 18,227, Boris wouldn't have to worry about tending to his constituency too much and could focus on Westminster power games. The seat also has the rather fun added bonus of neighbouring David Cameron's Witney home.
Henley, Oxfordshire(05 of06)
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Henley, which sits on the western edge of London in Oxfordshire, would be ideal for Boris. The constituency has been solid Tory since 1910 and incumbent MP John Howell has a majority of 16,588. It was also, of course, the seat Boris represented in the Commons from 2001 until 2008. So it would be a homecoming.
South Cambridgeshire(06 of06)
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If Boris is prepared to look outside of London he could do worse than the pretty secure 7,838 majority seat held by Andrew Lansley who confirmed he would not be standing in 2015.
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