MP David Lammy in a bid to be the next Mayor of London

THE battle to replace Boris Johnson as Mayor of London kicked off on Thursday as Labour MP David Lammy became the first political figure to throw his hat into the ring.

David Lammy in a bid to be London Mayor MP Lammy has put his hat in the ring to be Mayor of London [GETTY]

He is likely to be among half-a-dozen senior figures competing for the party's candidacy in 2016 - potentially including shadow justice minister Sadiq Khan and ex-Olympics minister Dame Tessa Jowell.

If selected, the former minister, is likely to face stiff for the job with Tory big-wigs desperate to persuade one of their major stars to stand.

Lord Sebastian Coe, a former athlete and darling of the 2012 Olympics, or Karren Brady, business leader and star of the BBC's The Apprentice are thought to be the early frontrunners.

Mr Johnson is standing down in 2016 after serving two four year terms. He announced last month that he is seeking to become the Conservative candidate for Uxbridge and South Ruislip at the 2015 general election.

Announcing his decision to run for Mayor on Thursday Mr Lammy said: "The kind of mayoralty that I want is one that extends opportunity to all Londoners.

"At its best this is a city of opportunity, as it was for my parents. But I worry whether that prosperity is now available to everyone."

The Tottenham MP, who will join Daily Express and Health Lottery owner Richard Desmond on Friday in supporting the mental health charity The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) Green Gym in Tottenham Hale, North London, would be London's first black Mayor if he wins.

he kind of mayoralty that I want is one that extends opportunity to all Londoners

MP David Lammy

Presenting himself as a unifying figure he insisted: "I am in the centre of British politics."

Mr Lammy said his policies would include higher council tax bands for more expensive London homes and a cap on rents paid by tenants.

He also refused to rule out targeting homes worth £1 million or less with new levies, which would mark a major step further than what Labour's shadow chancellor Ed Balls' suggestion of a mansion tax on homes worth £2 million or more.

In response, Tory MP Bob Neill said: "If Labour win the next election the message is clear - they are going to tax your family home. With Ed Miliband in Downing Street and David Lammy in City Hall, hardworking taxpayers would be hit right in the pocket.

"Labour simply haven't learned their lesson: they taxed ordinary families to the brink last time they were in power - and they would do it all over again."

More than £1.8 million has been raised for TCV by Health Lottery players, who have helped fund 49 projects similar around the country.

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