Mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith said he is targeting voters beyond the “traditional Conservative base” during a visit to his rival’s patch this morning.
The Conservative hopeful met market traders and residents in Tooting Broadway – just four days after Labour candidate Sadiq Khan visited Barnes.
The Tory MP for Richmond Park meets Desiree Gillis at Tooting Market
Mr Goldsmith said it is important to travel to all corners of the capital as the Mayoral race approaches the final stretch, with the election on May 5.
He said: “I have got to go to every area and there really are no no-go areas – and Wandsworth is an important borough.
“There are issues with the suburban rail line and transport which matters in my area but matters here as well.
“This morning I have been talking to residents about their concerns and hopes relating to Crossrail and a wide range of concerns.
“Today has been very positive and the reaction has been almost completely positive.
“London is such a diverse place – Havering is so different from Tooting, it is a totally different culture.”
Mr Goldsmith with Josh Williams from Boss Games Bros
He added that there are some issues which crop up whatever part of London people live in.
He said: “It doesn’t matter where you go, people are worried about being able to afford a place to live – that is true here and Barnet and Redbridge.
“My job is to reach out beyond the Conservative base and that includes Labour, the Lib Dems, Ukip because nobody can win with just their traditional support.”
The Mayoral candidate with Hughie Crawford from Artz clothes stall as Wandsworth Council leader Councillor Ravi Govindia looks on
Mr Goldsmith confirmed he will vote out in June’s EU referendum along with current Mayor Boris Johnson, going against Prime Minister David Cameron and the majority of the cabinet.
He said he would vote out because of "democratic accountability".
He said: “The referendum is going to happen whether people like it or not, soon after the Mayoral election.
“But the next Mayor’s job is not to keep us in or out of Europe and it is not directly relevant to the Mayoral contest.
“I don’t think elected politicians should flip-flop on the big issues – Europe is moving very fast and we must decide whether to be part of it or part of something different.”
Zac Goldsmith with Gemma Lloyd from Love Art
But the Richmond Park MP paid tribute to the Prime Minister for leading renegotiation talks with Brussels and calling the referendum in the first place.
He said: “The Prime Minister has a tough job and I really strongly believe he will go down in history as Prime Minister who trusted the British people whatever the outcome.”
Mr Goldsmith opposed the Lib Dems’ alternative vote proposals in the 2011 AV referendum but could be rely on the supplementary vote system in May.
Zac Goldsmith with Tooting Market manager Roi Mengelgrein
Voters will be asked to provide a second choice of candidate, if there is no clear winner.
He said: “This [supplementary vote] is a different system than what was proposed before and is simpler than AV, which was incredibly complicated.
“People struggled to explain how it works so it has got to be clear and simple.”
The Richmond Park MP speaks with our man Tom Ambrose at the Brickwood Cafe
It was suggested by Green Party peer Baroness Jenny Jones that a number of her party’s supporters could endorse Mr Goldsmith has their second choice behind Sian Berry.
He added: “Greens support the Greens for different reasons but it should be possible for me to reach out to them.
“No MP has done more in the last five years for the environment than I have.”
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