London's mayor would be stripped of some of his powers under Conservative plans to give more responsibility to the capital's boroughs.

In an interview with ePolitix.com the party's London spokesman, Jacqui Lait said she believes that many residents are on the point of "revolt" over mayoral intervention in areas like planning.

The Tories are opposing proposals, announced in July by communities secretary Ruth Kelly, to give the mayor stronger planning powers, including discretion over "strategically important" planning applications.

Lait said: "We seek to empower the boroughs to take more of their own decisions...

"Our belief is that the boroughs are quite capable of making these decisions collectively if they need to, and that they certainly should not lose the power over housing and planning the government is trying to remove."

She said the Conservatives hoped to use the Association of London Government - Tory controlled since May's elections - to "build a coherent borough view across London".

A Conservative government and mayoral candidate would not, Lait said, rule out legislative changes to alter the balance of power in London.

But the Tories would attempt first to change the role of mayor within the confines of the current legislation.

And she said many London residents, particularly those in the outer suburbs, would reach a "tipping point" of dissatisfaction with current mayoral control.

"In terms of the slow-burning fuse that defines a regime, housing and planning and the general fear that Ken Livingstone, if he's given these extra powers, will dictate - there will be a residents' revolt."

In June David Cameron announced the party would choose its candidate for the next mayoral race, due in in 2008, by encouraging all Londoners to enter and face a primary-style election.

But in August the selection was postponed until the spring, after claims the party had failed to find a 'big name' to lead the fight against Livingstone.

Lait said the process had been moved back because would-be applicants had been put off by the lengthy commitment ahead of a 2008 poll.

Asked if she thought it was necessary to find a 'big name' candidate, she said: "What we're looking for is somebody who primarily can do a good job of being London's mayor.

"If they come with a name or personality already then obviously that's helpful, but you know Ken didn't spring fully-formed as a personality.

"Our primary concern is to find someone who can really run London effectively and really get the message over to Londoners."