Richmond MP Zac Goldsmith has warned Sadiq Khan MP that campaigning on the basis of class and backgrounds won’t work.
Speaking at a Conservative mayoral candidate hustings in Wandsworth Town Hall this week, the mayoral hopeful outlined how he plans to win the support of London and beat Mr Khan to City Hall.
Tooting MP Sadiq Khan was chosen as the Labour candidate for Mayor last weekend taking a final round vote share of 58.9%, beating favourite Dame Tessa Jowell’s 41.1%.
Mr Goldsmith said: “Sadiq is good at mobilising people and he is likely to be a Ken Livingstone mark two.
“But I don’t think class warfare as a campaigning tactic will work.
“People are less tribal now and they mainly want someone to be on their side.”
Mr Goldsmith, who is odds-on favourite to be selected as the Conservative mayoral candidate, comes from a wealthy background and is privately educated, whereas Mr Khan grew up on a council estate and attended a comprehensive school.
Mr Goldsmith was keen to stress at Tuesday’s event that his record as an MP demonstrates his ability to reach out beyond Conservative Party members.
Mr Khan tweeted: “My mission for the next few months is to win the support of all Londoners.”
The Conservatives will choose their mayoral candidate at the end of September.
