News Shopper looks at the front runners for the Mayoral Election (From News Shopper)
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News Shopper looks at the front runners for the Mayoral Election
2:49pm Wednesday 25th April 2012 in Lewisham By Jim Palmer
Boris Johnson
AS THE race to be Mayor of London reaches the final furlong, JIM PALMER surveys the runners.
BORIS JOHNSON, Conservative, age 47
In elections like these, personality counts for more than policy.
If the likes of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush can serve two terms as president of America, Boris Johnson can certainly win again in London.
Why vote for him? He’s got a nine point plan including saving £3.5bn of City Hall waste, creating 200,000 jobs and 1,000 more police. Go to backboris2012.com
Campaign low point(s) It has been an ugly fight. You may have seen the Not Ken Again campaign - on buses, letters, e-mails, web pages.
He had a row in a lift with Ken following a radio debate and is being sued by the RMT Union for portraying its General Secretary Bob Crow as "being part of a culture of political immorality and as having caused serious harm to the interests of people in London".
In 2008 Winner with 1,043,761 (42.48 per cent) first preference votes.
Chance He should have it in the bag, regardless of his party’s disasters nationally. Ladbrokes’ odds 2/ 7.
KEN LIVINGSTONE, Labour, age 66
Labour has leapt up the polls nationally, following a slew of unpopular Tory policies. Ken must be hoping this translates to votes for him, but the campaign trail has been a bumpy one, so it will be a tough task.
Why vote for him? Ken has promised to cut public transport fares, reverse policing cuts, bring back EMA and save Londoners’ energy bills. Go to kenlivingstone.com
Low Point(s) Having denounced tax avoiders, it was revealed he channelled earnings through a company, which allowed him to pay less tax.
He accused others of doing the same, but it backfired when they published their accounts.
Labour peer Lord Alan Sugar broke party ranks to tweet: "I seriously suggest NO-ONE votes for Livingstone in the Mayoral elections."
In 2008 Second with 893,877 (36.38 per cent) first preference votes.
Chance Ladbrokes gives him 5/2 to walk back into City Hall.
BRIAN PADDICK, Liberal Democrat, age 54
The Lib Dems are doing even worse than the Tories nationally, and although a solid performer with decent policies, the ex-Met Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner hasn’t made much of an impression. There’s a distinct possibility he may not even come third.
Why vote for him? He says 12 years of Ken and Boris have left London with expensive and overcrowded public transport, high rents and low ambitions.
His pledges include putting more bobbies on the beat and an outer London travelcard. Go to brianpaddick.com
In 2008 Distant third but had the highest number of second preference votes, 641,412 (26.11 per cent).
Chance None, 100/1.
THE ALSO-RANS
Siobhan Benita, Independent Former civil servant who says she is a credible alternative to Boris and Ken. A hot tip for third. 50/1 to win.
Jenny Jones, Green Deputy Mayor from 2003 to 2004. 200/1.
Lawrence Webb, UKIP Anti-Europe 200/1
Carlos Cortiglia, BNP 500/1.
Follow Jim’s coverage of Election Night at newsshopper.co.uk
Follow Jim on Twitter @JimNewsShopper
Comments(29)
goldenbroomboy
says...
5:37pm Wed 25 Apr 12
Polly Staight wrote:I largely agree, but IMHO the current situation is worse than that under the GLC.
I suspect that the "also-rans" will remain that way, if no (excuse for a) newspaper ever bothers to give them the same free advertising that is given to the usual suspects. One thing is clear, the usual suspects are equally dire. Saying that, I don't see the point of this particular political post anyway, London operated perfectly well after Mrs. Thatcher abolished the GLC... But some bright spark thought it would be a great idea to stick their hands in our pockets, and waste some more of our money to create the Ken'n'Boris show... Dreadful.
The "Mayor of London" (who in truth is not a city mayor but the President of the Greater London Region) has powers far greater than those held by the Leader of the former GLC, and at least the latter could be held to account by members of the council. The London Assembly is little more than a toothless talking shop concerned with matters such as tourism.
FTR I do not blame Boris or Ken for this disturbing scenario, I blame NuLab for setting up the post in the first place.
C.Rodders.Jefferson
says...
7:42pm Wed 25 Apr 12
How could 'we' pick an immigrant to stand for the anti immigration party. Dahhhhh ! Plus Carlos wanted to fight for Argetina in the Falklands war, and posts in sex contact magazines. WTF was 'we' thinking.
Well it's off to Spain for limp along Rodney wiv me 500 large inheritance. You mugs !!
Donna_T
says...
11:16pm Wed 25 Apr 12
I put me foot down though wiv ya whippets, you aint bringing them son.
bible scoffer
says...
9:45am Thu 26 Apr 12
fbookluvver
says...
10:11am Thu 26 Apr 12
The Gypo Returns !
says...
11:10am Thu 26 Apr 12
So says this BNP clown who is all over the net elsewhere. The man who is always trying to tell us he's on The Sun, the Daily Wail etc etc, ohh I forgot Fakebook too.
THAnk YOu mates.
the wall
says...
11:41am Thu 26 Apr 12
The Gypo Returns !
says...
11:48am Thu 26 Apr 12
the wall
says...
12:38pm Thu 26 Apr 12
The Gypo Returns !
says...
12:42pm Thu 26 Apr 12
THanK YoU
I'm Erastus /Spartacus today. Would you like to be Tom ?
jeepo17
says...
1:51pm Thu 26 Apr 12
jeepo17
says...
1:51pm Thu 26 Apr 12
jeepo17
says...
1:53pm Thu 26 Apr 12
jeepo17
says...
1:53pm Thu 26 Apr 12
The Gypo Returns !
says...
3:59pm Thu 26 Apr 12
"Imitation is the sincerest of flattery"....
THAnK YOu
rarecockneyguvnor
says...
7:38pm Thu 26 Apr 12
Bo Jo is dah man.
miss rumble tumble
says...
9:40am Fri 27 Apr 12
Justin Case3
says...
9:56am Fri 27 Apr 12
rarecockneyguvnor wrote:plop!
Bo Jo fer me mates. The man might need 'is barnet cut but who in their right mind would vote fer that waiter geezer from the racist mob the BNP. Bo Jo is dah man.
Banbury Joe
says...
10:20am Fri 27 Apr 12
Politeness on the streets and people driving their vehicles in a caring manner seems to have gone out of the window...
English spoken on the streets is hard to understand with the various patois versions spoken now...
The streets are disgusting with litter and dumped garbage all over the place...
The main political parties have failed Londoners'... maybe a defection towards the smaller political parties is just around the corner?
Getting back to my Oxford... where it is much more gentle & civilised was a priority that day!
The Gypo Returns !
says...
11:17am Fri 27 Apr 12
www.oxfordmail.co.uk
/news/
"OXFORD: A 24-year-old man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder"
"A VIOLENT brawl erupted in Oxford’s Wood Farm estate after a gang of 30 men descended on the area armed with hammers and dog chains."
"A DRIVER who killed himself and a friend in a crash was “two to three times” over the drink-drive limit, an inquest heard."
I just quickly pulled these 3 stories off the front page from the Oxford paper with the link above.
Do run along now idiot.
The Gypo Returns !
says...
11:38am Fri 27 Apr 12
bible scoffer
says...
9:50am Sat 28 Apr 12
The Gypo Returns !
says...
12:21pm Sat 28 Apr 12
If I wanted to protest vote I'd vote for the Greens before that idiot Carlos Cortiglia, the man who wanted to fight against the British in the Falklands. How can you stand for mayor of London when you hold very anti British feelings. Its just more hypocrisy from the BNP.
miss sweethuney
says...
1:29pm Sat 28 Apr 12
bible scoffer
says...
1:34pm Sat 28 Apr 12
miss sweethuney wrote:...fragile rock!! the muppet show springs ta mind 'miss s.h.' ... rofl!! :)
your nerves seem a bit on edge geepy creepy lol ;)
Guess who ;) AGAIN !
says...
6:42pm Mon 30 Apr 12
The Real Gypo
says...
9:47am Sat 5 May 12
Guess who ;) AGAIN ! wrote:Ya got "gary'd" nastymrtom Lol ;)
fragile rock ....ROFL, you dumb POS.
Guess who ;) AGAIN !
says...
10:56am Sat 5 May 12
Everyone of us is laughing at you Karl, keep barking though its hilarious.
Polly Staight says...
4:39pm Wed 25 Apr 12
One thing is clear, the usual suspects are equally dire.
Saying that, I don't see the point of this particular political post anyway, London operated perfectly well after Mrs. Thatcher abolished the GLC... But some bright spark thought it would be a great idea to stick their hands in our pockets, and waste some more of our money to create the Ken'n'Boris show...
Dreadful.