London mayoral candidate Rory Stewart is asking people to invite him over for sleepovers in a bid to better understand Londoners' "concerns and ideas."

Stewart — who's running as an independent candidate after leaving the Conservative — is calling this, errr, initiative #ComeKipWithMe.

In a video posted on Twitter, the former Tory MP says "please have me to stay!"

"That's a weird request," he caveats. Frankly, he's not wrong on that count. "But the way that mayors get to know their cities in by literally walking through every one of the 32 boroughs."

Walking is something that Stewart is rather fond of, it seems. During his unsuccessful campaign to become Tory leader, Stewart became well known for his public walkabouts. He would inform social media followers of his whereabouts using his #RoryWalks hashtag, urging people to come out to chat to him.

Now running for London mayor, Stewart has come up with yet another unusual idea for cosying up to the electorate.

Today I'm launching #ComeKipWithMe - asking Londoners to invite me into their homes and show me the city through their eyes. I want to know your concerns and your ideas. And I promise to bring a sleeping bag and a box of chocolates!



Sign up: https://t.co/jtrLIw7i2G pic.twitter.com/TC7Vfg5tNk — Rory Stewart () February 11, 2020

"It's what I found staying with Lorraine in Newham last week. It's what I found a couple weeks ago staying with a young man in Streatham," says Stewart.

"So please, have me to stay with your family, or just in your home, seeing your borough."

Not everyone is convinced by Stewart's big idea, though.

Dawn Butler MP replied to Stewart calling the initiative "patronising" and "some kind of university project/ experiment."

I'm finding this a little bit patronising. You can't just dip your toe into London life. You have to live it! and care about it. This seems like some kind of university project/experiment. — (((Dawn Butler))) () February 11, 2020

Others rightly raised safety concerns.

Love this idea, but as a single female feel this would preclude some people inviting you. Do you have a female colleague you would send in this senario? — vanessa frank () February 11, 2020

Someone in Stewart's replies asked him if he'd be paying rent, to which he replied "no."

No — Rory Stewart () February 11, 2020

Some people told him to "get a hotel."

no thanks, get a hotel — Julie Bull () February 11, 2020

"Promise to bring a sleeping bag and a box of chocolates," Stewart feebly offers.

That's a pretty paltry offer. Has Stewart checked out Airbnb lately?

I think you'll need more than a box of chocolates, mate.

Source: Mashable

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