THE CONSERVATIVE party is the first off the starting blocks to announce its candidate for mayor of Tower Hamlets. Criminal barrister Neil King has been picked to fight for the role of the first directly elected mayor in Tower Hamlets. Wapping resident Mr

THE CONSERVATIVE party is the first off the starting blocks to announce its candidate for mayor of Tower Hamlets.

Criminal barrister Neil King has been picked to fight for the role of the first directly elected mayor in Tower Hamlets.

Wapping resident Mr King has contested two council elections in Tower Hamlets.

If elected he wants to set up a Brick Lane Business Improvement District to support employment and has pledged to reverse the cuts in teaching English as a second language.

He would bring in an Austerity Budget to trim council costs, including cutting the council-produced East End Life, council advertising and the number of councillors and their allowances.

Voters go to the poll on Thursday October 21, following a referendum which took place on 6 May.