BBC BLOGS - Peter HenleyHenley's Hustings
« Previous|Main|Next »

The Duck Island vacancy - could Boris' dad fit the bill?

Peter Henley|19:32 UK time, Monday, 5 October 2009

Boris Johnson and dad

A rare privilege today - a chance to chat with Mayor of London Boris Johnson and his dad Stanley together.

Stanley reminds me that he was once MEP for Hampshire, and he's still keen to get back into political action.

Boris is a little less sure about this, but the discussion turns to the vacancy at the Gosport constituency of Duck Island MP SIr Peter Viggers.

It's not a bad Tory seat. Majority of about 5,000, over a Labour challenge, and Stanley also recalls that he spent some time there when he was in the services.

And there's more than just the Duck Island notoriety that might suit Johnson senior.

I tell him about the good humoured Lib Dem "Taxi for Viggers" campaign, and we recall the row that ensued when Chairman Alan Scard told a TV reporter he'd be keen on a female candidate, if she was good looking.

Duck jokes abound.

"You might just fit the bill."

But would Conservative HQ tolerate another Johnson in the house?

Would Boris be happy to see his dad on the backbenches, possibly in government, while he takes the flak in London?

Interesting possibility, though, eh?

Comments

or register to comment.

BBC © 2014The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.