Hackney Conservatives back Boff as candidate for London Mayor

Former Queensbridge councillor Andrew Boff has garnered support from Hackney Conservatives

Hackney Conservatives are backing former councillor Andrew Boff in his bid to become the Conservative candidate for London Mayor.

Springfield ward councillor Simche Steinberger told the Hackney Citizen: “All four Conservative councillors are backing Andrew Boff. He has lived Hackney, breathed Hackney, it’s all about Hackney.”

Boff had previously lived in the borough for 20 years and represented Queensbridge ward as a local councillor between 2005 and 2006.

Cllr Steinberger said: “There is no question who we will support. He understands the local people. Of all the 33 boroughs, Hackney would benefit the most from him becoming mayor.

“Even if I had to go all the way to Australia to vote for him I would because he understands local people.”

Andrew Boff said he was “delighted” that Hackney Conservatives were supporting his candidacy: “As a resident of 20 years I want to make Hackney more liveable, a place where families can grow. Instead of tower blocks and flats I will boost the building of family-sized properties and encourage them within the London Plan.”

Elaborating on his plans to tackle local housing problems, Boff said: “I will take action to end the curse of overcrowding which affects so many young people in the borough. Many small patches of land are ignored by the larger developers. I will insist that boroughs publish details of their available land and create incentives for small developers, including self builders, to build.

“Year on year the council tax precept will decline as I believe that Hackney residents need more money in their pockets.”

Boff has previously run for the post of Hackney Mayor three times: in 2002, 2006 and 2010. Each time he lost out to the successful Labour candidate Jules Pipe.

Andrew Boff has been a London Assembly member since 2008 and became leader of the London Assembly Conservative Group four years later.

Commenting on his plans for the capital’s green spaces, he said: “Hackney’s parks are a treasure and remind us that London can be a city that embraces the natural environment. That’s why the Greater London Authority will support the aim of making London the first National Park city.”

Other candidates on the shortlist for his party’s nomination are Zac Goldsmith, MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston; Syed Kamall, a Member of the European Parliament representing London; and Stephen Greenhalgh, London’s deputy mayor for policing and crime.

Hustings will take place in September, with candidates officially announced in April and elections scheduled for May 2016.

Note: This story was amended at 6.55pm on Tuesday 18 August 2015 to reflect the fact that Andrew Boff no longer lives in Hackney. – Ed.