CONSERVATIVE mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith pledged not to forget outer London residents, on a visit to RAF Uxbridge last Thursday.

The Richmond Park MP was speaking at the Battle of Britain bunker - due to get a large cash injection from the government - as part of his mayoral campaign.

Mr Goldsmith, who was elected as the Tory candidate in October with 70 per cent of the vote, said his close relationship with Hillingdon Council leader Ray Puddifoot contributed to the support he receives in the area.

He said: “People talk of safe seats, of safe labour and safe Tory, but I don’t think that exists in London, but this is an area without a doubt that would benefit from a mayor who has in interest in outer London as well as inner London who will work with government.

“The letters I get from residents here relate to the big issues, things like Heathrow and protecting the green belt.

“These are all issues where we need a mayor to hold government to account but also get a good deal from them.

“My record shows that’s what I do. That’s what I have done for my constituency and it’s what I’ve been doing for London.”

Mr Goldsmith has long been an outspoken opponent of the Heathrow expansion, but stopped short at supporting the 13 Plane Stupid activists who are awaiting sentence after chaining themselves together on a runway, suggesting a line had been crossed.

“Obviously I very strongly sympathise with their cause,” he said.

“I’ve been active on this issue since long before I got involved in politics and as far back as I can remember.

“There is a noble tradition of protest in this country as far back as you want to go, but I think there is a line. I think protests that are ineffective are ones that put people’s noses out of joint, which this clearly did.

“Inconveniencing people to make a point is never a clever protest, but there is also the issue of the law - an effective protest is not one that crosses the line.”

Picture courtesy of i-images, with thanks