Boris Johnson has formally declared his interest in becoming the next MP for the London seat of Uxbride and South Ruislip, after submitting his application to the local Conservative Party this morning.
The London mayor's decision, first reported by The Hounslow Chronicle, sets up his return to parliament in 2015 and a potential future run at the leadership of the party.
Earlier this month Boris finally revealed he intended to stand as an MP at the next election, following years of speculation.
He had widely been expected to target the West London seat of Uxbridge, even though he has evaded giving a straight answer when asked. The mayor left it late to formally declare his interest in the seat, as the application deadline is tomorrow.
The local Tory party will announce who has won the right to stand as the Conservative candidate on 12 September. And while Boris will be the favourite, a local party member has warned the mayor that he cant not take it for granted he will win the selection battle.
Raymond Puddifoot, leader of Hillingdon Council, told The Huffington Post UK recently that while Boris was "one of the frontrunners" he was not a "shoo-in".
The London mayor told the Evening Standard he hoped to "make his case" that he was the best person to represent the constituency, held by Sir John Randall with a majority of 11,000 at the last general election. "I'm sure there will be plenty of excellent candidates and I hope very much to make my case to the association," he said.
Boris' decision comes on the same day as Nigel Farage, perhaps the country's other biggest political personality, is expected to be selected as Ukip's parliamentary candidate in the Kent seat of Thanet South.