Is cheeky Mayor turning yellow?

12:01pm Tuesday 1st November 2005

LEWISHAM'S Labour Mayor Steve Bullock has emerged as a shock contender to stand for the Liberal Democrats in next year's elections.

Mr Bullock has responded to a call to arms from the Lewisham Lib Dems, by offering his services as their candidate for the mayoral poll next May.

But the Labour mayor is not planning a shock defection rather he has offered to stand for two parties.

Mr Bullock made the tongue-in-cheek gesture after an email circulated by Lib Dems found its way to the Mayor's office.

The email outlined the qualities the party is looking for in its mayoral contender.

It says any prospective candidate should have "a high public profile", live in the borough and be "confident at dealing with the media".

Mr Bullock believes he has what it takes and sent a light-hearted response to the Lib Dem group, underlining his credentials.

In his reply he wrote: "I have lived in the borough for 30 years and also have some experience of holding public office.

"I am experienced at dealing with the media and can offer inspiration to your hardworking activists if they choose me."

At the end of his reply, Mr Bullock added: "It would be unusual for a candidate to be endorsed by more than one party but I have never shied away from innovation."

Lib Dem Lewisham Central Councillor Andrew Milton says he sees the funny side of the Mayor's offer.

He added: "Things going astray is one of the hazards of the email system but I can think of worse things we could have leaked.

"We are definitely not seeking Steve Bullock as our candidate. Anyone but."

The Lib Dems look set to decline Mr Bullock's offer which arrived after the October 26 cut-off point.

Party secretary Janet Hurst, who wrote the original email, said: "The response is quite amusing but all we will do is write back and tell him he is out of time."