Boris Johnson has been image given the boost he badly needs which could help him secure victory in the London Mayoral race.

It is believed to be the first time a Conservative has been endorsed by The Sun since they backed Tony Blair in 1997. It’s payback time now.

As the UK’s leading paper, it undoubtedly plays an influential role, it has picked up the mood of the people, the reason why  Londoners want to ditch a lack lustre Ken Livingstone and support Boris.

These are the words in today’s Sun that are music to Boris’ ears:

Many voters feel Ken has run out of puff. Having vowed to stand for only two terms, he now wants to go on and on.

Like many politicians who taste power, he is relucimagetant to hand back the keys.

Even he admits his campaign is going “in circles” and so far we haven’t heard any striking new policies — and certainly no admission of failure.

His administration is beset by sleaze allegations and his closest aide had to quit after police launched a probe into misspent cash.

With such lack of accountability, pointless “embassies” and crackpot oil deals in Caracas seem to get more attention than London’s mounting issues.

Boris may not be a political heavyweight. And his public image, that of an Old Etonian buffoon, belies his great intelligence.

He is smart and bursting with good ideas. We admire this intellectual energy and his new policies to reform the city of London.

These are Boris’ 5 pledges for a better London that has impressed The Sun – and hopefully Londoners too:

1. I’ll show how cash is spent

Contracts, grants and programmes over £1,000 will be detailed on Mayor’s website to show where the cash goes.

2. I’ll make transport safe again

Extra 440 police support officers on buses. Yobs who abuse free travel will face community service to win pass back.

3. I will ban booze on the Tube

Change Conditions of Carriage rules on Tube to ban boozing in order to crackdown on crimes against commuters.

4. I’ll create Mayor’s fund for youngsters

The Fund will be a body used to raise cash from wealth-creating sectors to spend on the voluntary sector. It will deliver projects to help young Londoners off the streets and out of crime.

5. I’ll protect green spaces in our city

Special plans to guard the ‘Garden City’ and loss of green spaces in London will include introducing new rules to prevent development on back gardens and green belt land.