Conservative mayoral contender proposes free gym VAT and brewery rebates for London

Alex Challoner is vying to become the Conservative candidate for London mayor, positioning himself against Sir James Cleverly and Festus Akinbusoye. He proposes removing VAT on gym memberships to boost public health, citing gyms as places where men discuss personal issues. Challoner also seeks to grant independent brewers a VAT rebate of up to £50,000 annually to support local industry.

His platform adds a plan to place uniformed British Transport Police at tube ticket gates to reduce fare-evasion, and he highlights cost-of-living, crime and government competence as core concerns. The former founder of Cavendish Communications stresses that Labour’s dominance in London is not unbreakable and urges a focused, flawless campaign. He draws on his experience from Steve Norris’s 2000 mayoral bid and emphasizes restoring London’s “mojo.”