Simon Dudley to take on Boris Johnson as Tory candidate for Uxbridge and South Ruislip

Royal Borough councillor Simon Dudley has been shortlisted as a Conservative parliamentary candidate to take on Boris Johnson to become MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

Mr Dudley, who is a Royal Borough councillor for Maidenhead Riverside, is on the Tory party's shortlist to contest the West London constituency in the next general election.

London Mayor Boris Johnson is widely expected to be on the party's candidate shortlist, as he bids to return to Westminster as a Member of Parliament.

Cllr Dudley said: "I think it is all about who is the best candidate for this constituency. Someone who can dedicate 100 per cent of their time to the residents. I think I am that candidate, I know the place.

"It's where I was born, I was born in Hillingdon and lived close to the constituency for 18 years until I went to university. It's somewhere I have a very close personal relationship with.

"When the existing Conservative MP John Randall indicated he was stepping down it was somewhere I thought I'd like to be a Member of Parliament."

Cllr Dudley said the final candidate will be revealed on Friday.

When asked how the decision affects his role as a Royal Borough councillor he said: "I'm just focused on Friday, as you can imagine." 

David Simmonds and Suella Fernandes will also stand as Conservative candidates.