Londoners- would you keep Boris or give Ken another go?

Ken's supporters deserting him?

Ken is not homophobic, he's got very very solid form for promoting gay rights going back decades.

What he is, is insufficiently commited to confronting homophobia in political allies, which I grant you is a big strike against him, but it's not the same as being homophobic himself.

And he could be criticised for anti-semitism rather than broader racism (though of course anti-semitism is a form of racism).

You're calling Ken racist and yet back Boris??!!

How odd

Boris! Ken is a racist, homophobic, tax evading hyporcrite! Can't stand the man.

I don't think the Labour party will ever work that way though, Lydia - it seems to be every man out to get what he can for himself, most of the time.

The only time I remember Ken being popular was on Spitting Image!

Actually, Ken being the Labour mayor candidate is rather like the Labour party hanging on and going into the last election with Gordon Brown as leader, even though it was quite clear a lot of people were openly saying they were voting LibDem as they didn't want Brown as PM. As a party they are spectacularly useless of getting rid of people who are known to be vote losers once they are in a position/certain level in the party.

It seems it's just the Labour party who have this miss guided loyality problem, if the Tories thought for one minute that Boris was unpopular, they'd have started plotting to get someone else. If he loses this election there is not a hope in hell of him being the Tory candidate next time round, but Labour will keep putting Ken forward as long as he wants too, after his defeat last time round, someone should have taken him to one side, told him London had rejected him, told him that was it, and focussed the party on finding new people, then spending the last few years helping them raise their profile so that they'd have a good chance now.

perhaps if Ken loses a second time to Boris, Labour will wake up to the fact London doesn't want him and start thinking about how they could offer London what they want. Or maybe the Tories will have London until Ken retires...

I think that the tax revelations will influence many people to move away from Ken.

In the current climate a supposed left-winger who uses a company to reduce his tax liability will not go down well with the majority of the electorate.

It seems from this thread that Boris will win. Not overly happay at that-but I'd be happier to have him again than Ken any day of the week....

I wonder if Boris' wife thinks he's trustworthy

I am no Tory but love Boris to bits !!!! Totally trustworthy ... speaks his mind ! You know where you stand even if you don't like what he says or disagree with his decisions. You also know that he stands by his decisions. Not like Ken who stated only a mindless moron would get rid of the routemasters ..... then 2 years later what did he go and do ? How can anyone trust a person like Ken that turns tail whenever the wind suits him ???? Lived in London for 13 years - it's about time life generated a political person with a backbone that actually knows how to tell the truth and genuinely do good for the public rather than political movements to suite their own personal agendas !!! Yeahhhhhhh Boris !!!!!

random @

I really detest Boris as Mayor and his @lovable buffoon shitck
let him do telly shows of no consequence
bit at a loss as to who to vote for

Ken. I like his unapologetic nature. And I think he's honest and has good socialist principles. I'm a big fan actually.

Boris. Loathe Ken.

Brian Paddick gets my vote...

If it's Boris I hope he smartens up for the Olympics. Can't he afford a comb?

Boris if only for comedy value

Thanks. Have a lovely evening too!x

Delightful? Occasionally

Poetic? Never

Enjoy the chops x

Sounds great! although once you spend the evening with my two plus extremely grumpy DP you'll probably think your teenagers are delightful and their arguing is positively poetic!

I shall go and put the wretched chops in. I'll vote for any Mayor who makes takeaways compulsory!

That probably makes two of us. Take my teens- I'll cook you a feast! In fact let me stay and I'll make you breakfast and leave it at your bedroom door!!

Oh no please don't hit me doubleshotespresso I'm a wuss really. I'd trade your teens for the evening if you'll cook my evening supper instead. I'm exhausted and can't be asked to cook pork chops, dinners going to be late. I really shouldn't be on mumsnet at all right now

ROFL fabulousdarling -left my boxing gloves at home today but I'll catch you when I'm ready hahaha.....

The truth is I'm exhausted being a referee for most of the time at home anyway- scrapping is a common thread in my home at the mo! Teenagers just love to communicate well!!!

Well You're wrong so there. Do you wanna scrap?