Dame Tessa Jowell has become the latest big name to declare her ambition to succeed Boris Johnson as Mayor of London.
The former Olympics minister, who did more than any politician to bring the 2012 Games to London, said she would give the 2016 race her ‘best shot’ at a party fundraiser in Ealing.
The Labour heavyweight recently topped an opinion poll for her party’s nomination ahead of Tottenham MP David Lammy and transport commentator Christian Wolmar – who have already both declared they will run.
Other likely contenders include Tooting MP and London Minister Sadiq Khan and maverick Hackney MP Diane Abbott.
The website Labour List quotes MP for Dulwich and West Norwood as saying: “I keep being asked about the London Mayoral campaign. When the Mayoral race starts, I’ll give it my best shot.
“I’ll announce properly with balloons and stuff.”
Mr Johnson will step down after serving two terms in 2016 and is standing as the Conservative candidate in Uxbridge at next May’s General Election.