Local Conservatives, however, were delighted with Mr Johnson’s application.

Ray Puddifoot, the leader of Hillingdon Borough Council, told the Telegraph: “He rang me to say he has put his application in – ‘whacked it in’ were his exact words. He said he has affinity to the place and is looking look forward to the process.

“I think he would make an excellent MP. He is a major asset to the party nationally, he will have to prove he is an asset in the constituency.”

Mr Puddifoot said he expects Mr Johnson could lead the party, and his opposition to expanding Heathrow will be a benefit.

“Most people don’t want Heathrow expanded. Boris is the one politician who will guaranteed to stick to that position,” he said.

“He is a big beast. I think he is a man of vision but he needs to be part of a team. He could do a good job as Tory leader one day if he has the right people around him.”

Mr Johnson told The Evening Standard newspaper: “I am sure there will be plenty of excellent candidates and I look forward to making my case to the association.”

Sir John Randell, the currentl MP for Uxbridge who is standing down at the next election, insisted that the Mayor of London will not be a shoo-in for the job.

He said: “If he got into the final three or four he couldn’t rely on just getting in because he is Boris. He will have to give a good speech,” he said earlier this month.

“He will have to prove he is not just coming to use it just to get into Parliament. I think he understands this. If he just turned up and made a not-thought-about-it-much sort of speech that wouldn’t go down well.”

On September 5 local association members will narrow the field of candidates down to a handful. The final candidate will be selected by the local association following hustings on September 12.

Mr Johnson’s announcement that he would return to Parliament reignited speculation that he wishes to succeed David Cameron as the Tory leader.