Newly-elected Mayor of London Boris Johnson is to stand down today as MP for Henley, triggering a by-election in the Oxfordshire constituency.
Mr Johnson’s resignation was announced at his first press conference as mayor at City Hall today.
It is expected to be confirmed formally by Speaker Michael Martin after Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons this afternoon.
Conservative leader David Cameron is expected to table a writ later today for the by-election to be held within weeks, with June 26th the date thought most likely for the poll.
With a 12,793 margin of victory at the 2005 general election, Henley is one of the Conservatives’ safest seats and defeat for Tory candidate John Howell would be a virtually unthinkable upset for Mr Cameron.
But Liberal Democrats are already campaigning hard in the seat, where they feel their candidate Stephen Kearney can make a dent on the Tory majority. Also standing are Richard McKenzie for Labour, Mark Stevenson for the Greens and Chris Adams for Ukip.
The by-election comes hot on the heels of Labour’s shock defeat at Crewe and Nantwich on May 22nd. But the party has trailed in third place in Henley since 1970 and the by-election offers little opportunity for Gordon Brown to turn the electoral tide in his favour.
Asked what message he would send to his eventual successor, Mr Johnson said: “I think the qualities needed to be a good MP for Henley are above all to be willing to listen, to be patient, to realise that you have the nicest, kindest, most wonderful and indeed eccentric people in Britain that you are going to have the privilege of representing.
“But above all, the quality you need to represent the people of Henley is to be a Conservative.”