
Lembit Opik - probably the only Welsh Liberal Democrat with the public profile to do it - says he is flattered to be linked with a bid to become Mayor of London.
It raised the prospect of an intriguing clash with other political eccentrics Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnston.
They could always have a play-off on Have I Got News for You instead.
Lembit's Tory rival in Montgomeryshire Glyn Davies says he wasn't going to be fooled by any of the hype.
Mega-blogger Lib Dem AM Peter Black seems less amused.
Mr Opik played down the move, saying: “It’s speculation. I’m flattered to be held in such high regard that people are apparently lobbying for my candidature.
“But unless Newtown becomes a new stop on the Metropolitan line I’m going to have to decline the generous invitation. My first priority is Montgomeryshire.
“Boris and Ken and I would probably have breathed a lot of life into British politics but rumours of my mayoral ambitions are exaggerated.”
The Montgomeryshire MP, best known for his relationship with Cheeky Girl pop singer Gabriela Irimia, 24, was floated as a candidate by a close aide to Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell.
The shortlist of Liberal Democrat nominees will be announced in September, and the winner of the vote by party members revealed in November.
Ed Davey, who is Sir Menzies’s chief of staff, said Mr Opik would make a “much better mayor” than incumbent Ken Livingstone or his main potential rival, Boris Johnson.
Mr Davey told ePolitix.com: “Lembit is a good friend of mine, I share an office with him, and if he decided to run he would certainly make one of the most interesting candidates in the race.
“Would Lembit make a good mayor? I think that Lembit would make a much better mayor than Boris Johnson or Ken Livingston,” he added.
Boris Johnson is the frontrunner among four Tories shortlisted for the party’s nomination.

Cleckanndra wrote...
Asteroids, comets, weather girls, cheeky stars, and out-of-this-world suggestions flown in from the outer reaches of a Montgomeryshire constituency.
Lem opaque?
No, clear as day.
But at least he is consistent with his star-struck ideas.
[[Glyn Davies has also made his view much clearer about what he sees as a PR stunt - posted on his blog-site today]]
Nice try Lem.
Posted by: Cleckanndra | August 2, 2007 1:31 PM