London Mayoral Elections on May 1st?

[DreamSparrow]

The biggest directly elected job in British politics is up for grabs this week. Even for non-Londoners, the position is of some importance, because of the enormous powers of the Mayor over the largest contributors to the British economy.

Who are you voting for and why? If you can't vote because you're not a Londoner, who would you like to see win?

The three main candidates are:

Ken Livingstone for Labour, aka 'Red Ken', socialist(?) and trade unionist, former leader of the GLC, as well as the incumbent mayor, having won the last two elections in 2000 (as an Independent) and 2004 (as the Labour candidate). He is regularly accused of deception, cronyism and anti-semitism by his critics.

Boris Johnson for the Conservatives, former Shadow Minister for Higher Education, ex-editor of 'The Spectator', regular guest on the comedy quiz show 'Have I Got News For You'. Often lampooned as a bumbling Old Etonian Tory toff, Boris has also been attacked for his insensitive remarks about black people, Liverpudlians, and a number of other groups.

Brian Paddick for the Liberal Democrats, former Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service. He is an outspoken critic of his former superior Sir Ian Blair on the handling of the case involving the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes. He was originally approached by the Conservatives to run for them, but chose to decline, preferring to stick to the party he had always supported.

 

[ballzano]

not from london(yank), watched "topgear" on BBCA they all dislike livingstone for his taxes on taxes, johnson sounds like someone from last century. which leaves paddick who seem sensible

 

[BlueBalls]

m not the biggest fan of Livingston, but I disslike the Tories even more and oting for Brian Paddick would be a waste of a vote, Livingstone has my vote. None of the smaller parties interest me.

 

[gunslingingbird]

Are politics in the UK the same shit-flinging-at-other-candidates drama as they are in the US? Just wondering.

 

[Bigoldowls]

Are politics in the UK the same shit-flinging-at-other-candidates drama as they are in the US? Just wondering.

Yes they are.

 

[marquis2]

Boris has a needle sharp brain which he hides behind his buffoonery , he's also puts people ahead of politics.Ken's outrageous road pricing scheme can't help him-motorists are bled white at every opportunity and are then made to pay if they want to drive down roads they've already paid for several times over.Paddick just comes over as unpleasant with a gigantic chip on his shoulder.

 

[Digital]

I shall be voting for the Green Party candidate.

 

[tartanterrier]

I'd probably vote for the SNP one :1orglaugh

 

[dick van cock]

I'd probably vote for the SNP one :1orglaugh

Armando Ianucci?

In many elections a "none of the above" would be the only appropriate choice. But here, I'd go with both (Ken and Boris).

 

[tartanterrier]

Armando Ianucci?

In many elections a "none of the above" would be the only appropriate choice. But here, I'd go with both (Ken and Boris).

If he's the SNP one then i would vote for him - at least he's funny

But my favourite for winning it would be Ken.Although a change of goverment would be most welcomed as I think we're getting the piss taken out of us now

 

[DreamSparrow]

Boris has a needle sharp brain which he hides behind his buffoonery , he's also puts people ahead of politics.Ken's outrageous road pricing scheme can't help him-motorists are bled white at every opportunity and are then made to pay if they want to drive down roads they've already paid for several times over.Paddick just comes over as unpleasant with a gigantic chip on his shoulder.

Does he? Been reading Quentin Letts in the Mail, I suppose? He's been singing that song for a while, but I fail to see it. Electing Boris will be like electing a slightly less simian, posh version of George W. Bush. In the words of the Governator, he'll be ' fumbling all over the place'*. He'll be a bloody embarrassment to the whole city.

I have no desire to vote for the other two though. Ken is way too fond of taxing everything, and has admitted he conned and lied to get funding for the Olympics, an event which is now likely to cost the country around 20 billion.

Paddick is definitely unpleasant, yes. I couldn't believe how he behaved on Question Time last week, telling Boris to 'shut his face for once'. That's totally inappropriate on a political platform. They were like squabbling children.

There's just no real choice.

(* Katie Derham should be added to the sexy newsreaders thread!)

P.S. Just realised that the link to Paddick's Youtube playlist was wrong. It should be this one: http://uk.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=F6C571CC5436AA80

 

[marquis2]

It's a good ploy to let your opponents underestimate you (students of Reagan will tell you this) but Ken Livingstone for one is well aware of Boris' capabilities.