Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman has announced his intention to run for LNP preselection for the state seat of Ashgrove as part of a bold bid to unseat Anna Bligh as Queensland premier.

Cr Newman made the announcement at a press conference this morning at Suncorp Stadium.

Silent ... for now: Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman. Credit:Robert Rough

He said he would resign as lord mayor if he won preselection, in which case he would then launch a bid to lead the Liberal National Party to the next state election.

“I believe I am the one to lead the team forward,” he said. “I am here to do the hard yards."