London Mayoral Election 2012

[Peter the Lefty]

How on earth would a Livingstone defeat caused by Livingstone's personal failings (because if he loses that is why he'll lose) be Miliband's fault? In some polls as much as a fifth of Labour's General Election vote in London intends to vote for Johnson; how is that Miliband's fault? Of course Livingstone isn't dead in the water, especially given this government's travails, but...

Silly old bugger should have mounted his pony and headed off into the sunset when he lost last time. If there's a shortage of credible city-wide candidates for London Labour (and there is) then half the problem is that...

Like I said, it would be Livingstone's fault.  But it could also (hopefully) be the last straw in Ed Miliband's leadership. 

[dadge]

Not sure that Labour should've put their eggs in the Livingstone basket again. The party seemed to think he'd win easily, especially with a somewhat unpopular Tory government, but I think they've misjudged the mood in the city. Ken is vieux jeu and people would really like someone new if they're going to get rid of Bubbly Boris. If I had a few quid to bet, it'd go on Boris.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Johnson and Livingstone unable to behave professionally: official.

In other news, Pope confirms Catholicism, bear admits to arboreal defecation.

[afleitch]

Johnson and Livingstone unable to behave professionally Boris Johnson calls Ken Livingstone a "f-cking liar: official.

In other news, Pope confirms Catholicism, bear admits to arboreal defecation.

Corrected

[You kip if you want to...]

Johnson and Livingstone unable to behave professionally Boris Johnson calls Ken Livingstone a "f-cking liar: official.

In other news, Pope confirms Catholicism, bear admits to arboreal defecation.

Corrected

Imagine Boris as Prime Minister...

[Silent Hunter]

Imagine Boris as Prime Minister...

I'd rather watch The Only Way Is Essex.

[Peter the Lefty]

Johnson and Livingstone unable to behave professionally Boris Johnson calls Ken Livingstone a "f-cking liar: official.

In other news, Pope confirms Catholicism, bear admits to arboreal defecation.

Corrected

Imagine Boris as Prime Minister...

*shudders*

[Phony Moderate]

So next time, the two main parties may actually put up serious candidates?

[You kip if you want to...]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/politics/4251938/Just-seen-the-polls-Ken-Livingstone.html

[You kip if you want to...]

The Standard go for Boris.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

The Standard go for Boris.

Pope confirms accusations of Catholicism.

[Phony Moderate]

The Standard go for Boris.

Pope confirms accusations of Catholicism.

In response, Tony Abbott has called for a federal election.

[You kip if you want to...]

Lord Sugar lashed out at Ken this afternoon and it came out that Ken uses private healthcare.

WHY did Labour nominate this idiot? WHY?

[Filuwaúrdjan]

WHY did Labour nominate this idiot? WHY?

Because the only other option on the ballot was Oona King. Who is well liked but was never a credible candidate (despite being endorsed by Stringer Bell). So the question you have to ask is slightly different; why was Livingstone the only plausible candidate?

Of course, having said that, the result would have been a lot closer (I suspect) if people had been aware of quite how awful a candidate he would turn out to be this time around. Even if he does somehow win.

[Keystone Phil]

Lord Sugar lashed out at Ken this afternoon and it came out that Ken uses private healthcare

...this is scandalous? Wow.

[Leftbehind]

Ken's appeal is he's a man of the people and a socialist. Private healthcare and tax avoidance are pretty effective weapons against him, and his image. Boris is undoubtedly guilty of both of these to a greater extent and much more, but people don't vote for him to abolish such practices (and he never says he will).

Although, the likes of Alan Sugar shouldn't have even been in the Labour party as far as I'm concerned - why his opinions should carry any weight, I'm not sure. There's not many candidates in the UK that could rival Boris, and the main reasons Ken's losing are things that've only come to light - after an extensive media campaign against him dug them up - so I think it's perfectly clear why Labour would nominate him.  

[Phony Moderate]

Portillo is not voting for Boris.

[Keystone Phil]

Portillo is not voting for Boris.

Is Portillo even a Tory anymore? Also, did he go on talking about himself 95% of the time then barely slip in why he isn't voting for Johnson? Because, after all, Mr. Portillo is always the best part of any story.

[Joe Republic]

My favorite thing about Portillo is his acceptance of the redefiniton of his name in a way Santorum never would.

"My name is now synonymous with eating a bucketload of sh**t in public."

[Filuwaúrdjan]

The fact that Portillo changed his public personality so markedly after what happened at that most glorious of declarations is actually quite interesting. Not a typical reaction at all.

[minionofmidas]

Some people want to enlarge that way-too-built-in monster of an airport? Urgh. Kudos to Johnson, I suppose. (wikis) And to Cameron. I feel dirty.

[Peter the Lefty]

Lord Sugar lashed out at Ken this afternoon and it came out that Ken uses private healthcare.

WHY did Labour nominate this idiot? WHY?

What's wrong with using private health care, even if you're a socialist in a country with the NHS?  Is it a sign of disrespect towards the NHS?  I highly doubt that it's taboo to get news from a source other than the BBC. 

[You kip if you want to...]

Lord Sugar lashed out at Ken this afternoon and it came out that Ken uses private healthcare.

WHY did Labour nominate this idiot? WHY?

What's wrong with using private health care, even if you're a socialist in a country with the NHS?  Is it a sign of disrespect towards the NHS?  I highly doubt that it's taboo to get news from a source other than the BBC. 

It's very much a taboo. You don't have to pay to go onto the ITN or the Sky website, but you do to use Bupa. And it is a sign of disrespect for the health service.

For a comparison, you'll struggle to find many politicians who want to go far sending their kids to private school.

It also implies that they're being run badly if you're the incumbent.

[© tweed]

Red Ken within 2 per YouGov

http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/blog/archives/5215

[afleitch]

Boris 8 points clear with ComRes.