Mayor of London Boris Johnson finds time to play in racecar despite being too busy for Pride
Boris Johnson is too busy to attend Pride in London for a fifth year in a row – but will find time this week to drive around in a racecar.
The Member of Parliament for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, member of David Cameron’s political cabinet, newspaper columnist, radio host, comedy show panellist, historian and Mayor of London hasn’t attended the Pride parade in the UK’s capital since 2010.
2015 will be no exception – with his office confirming to PinkNews that the Mayor will not be attending this year’s Parade.
However, it has been announced that the Mayor will somehow find time to “experience the thrill of Formula E first hand” this week – by driving around a racetrack in Battersea Park.
The Mayor is set to drive “the 270bhp Spark-Renault SRT_01E around the purpose-built Battersea Park track” at the launch of the Formula E race car championship.
The event launches on Saturday – the same day as the UK’s largest LGBT event – but neither Formula E or the Mayor’s Office could confirm to PinkNews whether this is the day he is set to drive around the track.
The Mayor’s Office confirmed to PinkNews last week that the Conservative politician will not attend Pride this year, sending Deputy Mayor Stephen Greenhalgh in his place.
Mr Johnson last attended the Pride march in 2010 – missing it for the past four years consecutively, in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
The Mayor’s spokesperson told PinkNews: “The Mayor is not due to attend this year, but Deputy Mayor Stephen Greenhalgh will be representing him at the event.”
Mr Johnson recently weighed in after UKIP LGBT+ were denied permission to march in this year’s parade, ordering organisers to “sort it out”.
The Mayor has previously cited his busy schedule in the past as his reason for not attending – and is unlikely to have extra time on his hands now he is also an MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip.
He last attended the Pride Parade in 2010, where he announced his support for equal marriage in an interview with PinkNews.
At the time Mr Johnson said: “If we can have a coalition between Tories and Lib Dems, why can’t we have gay marriage?”
Campaigner Peter Tatchell responded: “There you are – the mayor supports gay marriage”.
He has not attended the event since.
In New York, Mayor Bill De Blasio attends the event every year – even serving as Grand Marshall at Brooklyn Pride last year.
