Conservative Mayoral Candidate receives major endorsement from top Red Wall Tory

A dark horse in the race to defeat Sadiq Khan next year has received a major endorsement from a senior Red Wall Tory, the Express can reveal.

Daniel Korski entered the race yesterday, with a promise to impose a new tourist tax to raise new cash for policing, and scrap the ULEZ – a policy being promised by all of the Tory candidates running to be the next Mayor.

Mr Korski, who was deputy head of policy in David Cameron’s Downing Street operation, told the Standard: “People’s emotional reactions range from frustration and hatred to disappointment with Sadiq. I think people are fed up and want something slightly different.”

Today he receives his first a-list endorsement, as the trendsetting Tory Mayor of the Tees Valley Ben Houchen has come out to back his bid.

Mr Houchen said: “Daniel has exactly the kind of energy, practical experience and broad appeal that makes for a great candidate and would make for a very effective mayor of London”.

Today Mr Korski gets off to a racing start, pledging to revive ‘The London Dream’.

He says he will start by tackling the rampant crime levels of the capital, boosting police numbers with a new tax on tourists and launching a ‘minor crimes unit’ within the Met.

A former CEO of PUBLIC – a digital innovation company – one of Mr Korski’s most unique pledges is to harness the power of Artificial Intelligence to improve the quality of London services.

He proposes to use “smart transport tech” to better manage traffic and ensure households and businesses aren’t unfairly penalised by City Hall for using their cars.

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Since launching, Mr Korski has also received the backing of the International Development Secretary David Mitchell, who said: “I’ve known Daniel since he started out in politics and the Conservative Party. His dedication for the public good transpires in everything he does – London would be very lucky indeed to have him as Mayor.”

Joanna Shields, former Google executive, and Brent Hoberman, founder of last minute.com, have also both endorsed him.

As one of David Cameron’s top officials, Mr Korski had a key role in the Remain campaign during the Brexit referendum, being rewarded with a CBE by his ex-boss.

London Minister Paul Scully is expected to launch his campaign to be the Tory mayoral candidate tomorrow.

He would join the growing list of those vying for the job, including Samuel Kasumu, Susan Hall, Nick Rogers and Andrew Boff.

Since launching, Mr Korski has also received the backing of the International Development Secretary David Mitchell, who said: “I’ve known Daniel since he started out in politics and the Conservative Party. His dedication for the public good transpires in everything he does – London would be very lucky indeed to have him as Mayor.” 

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