Zac Goldsmith, the Conservative candidate for the Mayor of London, came to Romford market today to meet some Havering residents.

The MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston was announced candidate for the city hall seat last month and will go head-to-head with Labour candidate Sadiq Khan, his main opponent, in May’s election.

Despite being “at the opposite end” of London from his constituency, Mr Goldsmith believes the issues of both outer London boroughs are “similar”.

“Havering residents are absolutely part of London despite being on the edge and decisions made in City Hall have an impact on their lives.

“We need to have a City Hall mayor that can hold government to account and I believe my track record over the last five years show that.”

He met Tubbies’ fishmonger Perry White, who had “never seen him before” but recognised his “effort to come out and meet Havering people”.

Mr Goldsmith was accompanied by Conservative GLA candidate for Havering and Redbridge Cllr Keith Prince and Roger Evans, the outgoing GLA member for the two boroughs.

He made housing one of his first priorities and told the Recorder: “The concern about housing is not just about the numbers but it is about how they are built and the land they are built on and that is an issue across London.”

As a environmental champion, Mr Goldsmith said there is “a lot of progress to do” and he wants to use available technology to expand the use of electric vehicles and make London a “clean” city.