MJ editorial director Mike Burton has launched a bid to become London mayor.

Mr Burton, who has been dubbed one half of the Richard and Judy of local government, will run as an independent candidate after spurning advances from political parties, including the Party Party and the Canadian Extreme Wrestling Party.

In his manifesto, published today, Mr Burton said, if successful, he would give everyone in London a free copy of his book, The Politics of Public Sector Reform: From Thatcher to the Coalition.

‘I've got loads stacked up at home so this is the best way of spreading my immense knowledge,' he said.

A source close to London mayor Boris Johnson said: ‘Boris has never heard of this buffoon but he does love Thatcher.'

An insider in communities secretary Eric Pickles' office added: ‘Eric has done his very best to destroy local government over the last five years. 

‘With the sector decimated there's very little for Mr Burton to report on so a mayoral bid or writing another book on an obscure topic seems like the only options for him.'

Mr Burton's book, The Politics of Public Sector Reform: From Thatcher to the Coalition is available on Amazon.