Why I Tried to Persuade Karren Brady to Run for London Mayor
By Giles Kenningham
The Conservative Party urgently requires a political heavyweight to step forward and contest the London mayoral election. I made concerted efforts to recruit such a figure, but unfortunately, my attempts proved unsuccessful. A strong mayoral candidate could potentially rescue the Tories from their current predicament in the capital.
The Need for a High-Profile Candidate
With the next mayoral election for London just over two years away, the capital deserves a field of prominent names competing for what many consider one of the most prestigious positions in British politics. A high-profile individual with significant name recognition could electrify the entire race, bringing renewed energy and attention.
During my time in government, we actively tried to persuade both Sebastian Coe and Karren Brady to run for mayor. There was even discussion about attempting to coax Nick Ferrari into entering the contest, though these efforts ultimately came to nothing.
The Tory Challenge and Reform's Advantage
The Conservatives desperately need a political heavyweight to declare their candidacy, and arguably they need to do so immediately to allow sufficient time to introduce themselves properly to London's electorate. Meanwhile, Reform UK has placed all their bets on Laila Cunningham as their candidate. She now has a valuable window of opportunity to capitalise on her early selection and leverage the considerable political momentum currently behind Reform.
The Power of London's Mayoralty
In the United States, mayors serve as powerful city bosses with substantial authority. The position isn't merely a political stepping stone on a career journey; for many, it represents a final destination. This is precisely what the London mayoralty should embody.
Given widespread disaffection with mainstream political parties and the perception among many that the system isn't delivering for them, a well-known independent figure from entertainment, sport, or culture could cause a major political upset. Ken Livingstone demonstrated this possibility when he won as an independent back in 2000. I wouldn't bet against such an outcome happening again.
With ongoing concerns about crime in the capital, a Labour party experiencing internal turmoil, and a mayor engaging in performative battles with figures like Donald Trump, the right candidate could potentially trigger a political earthquake.
Biden's Political Legacy
While American politics remains dominated by the Trump phenomenon, during a recent visit to Washington I was struck by the ongoing fallout and recriminations from President Biden's tenure. The book Original Sin, which exposed the cover-up regarding his declining mental faculties, has severely damaged the Democratic Party's standing.
Numerous people I spoke with mentioned the persistent sense of betrayal they still feel about being misled. This sentiment, combined with the absence of an obvious political figure to rally around, suggests the Democrats face a long and difficult road to reclaiming the White House.
The Remarkable Rise of Manchester
Manchester is currently experiencing an extraordinary boom. The city's transformed skyline makes an immediate impression upon arrival. While Mumbai reportedly has the highest number of construction cranes of any global city, Manchester cannot be far behind in this regard.
What has particularly captured my attention, however, is the strategic investment Manchester is making in culture and creativity. From Co-op Live – now the UK's largest entertainment arena and host of the 2026 and 2027 BRIT Awards – to the Bollywood-inspired musical Come Fall in Love at the Manchester Opera House, which created tremendous excitement last year, the city has firmly established itself on the cultural map.
The impact extends far beyond mere showbusiness and ticket sales. For years, young people across Manchester felt compelled to relocate to London to build careers in media and creative arts. Increasingly, this is no longer necessary – a development that represents excellent news for Manchester's future.
Quote of the Week
"People say you're just an athlete, like stick to your job, shut up about politics but politics affects us all." – Amber Glenn, US national figure skating champion
A Personal Recommendation
I've only recently discovered the excellent Bloomberg podcast, The Mishal Husain Show, after observing her interview with the High Commissioner of India to the UK at the Royal Society of Arts. While that particular exchange operated under Chatham House rules, her recent episode with David Miliband certainly did not.
Miliband offered measured commentary on Labour's challenges while being unequivocal in his view that the Prime Minister was wrong to block Andy Burnham's bid to return to Parliament. Other standout guests have included Richard Moore, former head of MI6, Salman Rushdie, and Mark Carney.
In an increasingly crowded podcast market, Husain's journalistic rigour – combined with her ability to secure interviews with the most in-demand figures – suggests her show possesses greater longevity than many others in the same space.
Giles Kenningham is founder of Trafalgar Strategy and formerly served as head of press at 10 Downing Street.
