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

[mrsruffallo]

I have warmed to Boris and cooled towards Ken personally.

Dilys - my probably with the tax issue with Ken is not so much that he's doing something that 'everyone does' but that he's doing something that he has basically had a go at other people doing, saying they shouldn't while doing the same thing himself (albeit on a smaller scale). When he was stood there slagging off non-doms and the Philip Greens of the world, he knew what his own tax arrangements were. It makes me question everything he says. It makes me not believe him.

I do think that a lot of his policy ideas are good, I just don't trust him personally. A large number of Londoners feel the same, the Labour party must realise this, yet they have allowed Ken to be their candidate yet again. The most obvious conclusion that can be drawn is that they don't want to win this time. Or perhaps they'd rather sacrifice London to Boris to keep him out of parliament and off the Tory front bench...

The Labour party does have some really impressive people in it. It's just they don't seem to want impressive people to lead them in London or in the Commons.

LydiaWickham - keeping Boris in so he stays out of Parliament and off the front benches is the first seriously good reason I've heard to vote Boris. Better that only London has him inflicted on them than the rest of the country....

SchnitzelVonKrumm - but at least Boris pays full tax on his earnings and does not put it all through a tax evading company

I feel quite convinced by dilysprice argument. However, I was young once and remember when Ken turned on Labour via Murdoch press when most of us knew how awful they were before recent scandal. Wonder if people see job as mayor as dead end job leading nowhere afterwards so Ken still gets a chance?

Saw Boris interviewed recently who was convinced, so he says, a job in politics would probably not happen after 'mayorship'

As for voting system, whatever we do, it seems to be party politics that win so why have labour nominated Ken. I suppose he can do th ejob and no one else wants it.

Prime Minister's question time joined in our post. Ken was blasted for tax evasion, no one in labour camp stood up for him. Interesting.

Boris is such an Etonian or 'oldboy' and do not have real sense he has any care or knowledge about those struggling in London - his lifestyle means (I sense) he has little compassion. Cameron seems to pat him on the back so he will not get my vote.

doubleshotespresso I do indeed remember the GLC and the goods it did with it's London centric transport policy. I also remember that it was destroyed by Thatcher for political idealogical reasons (as so many of her actions were) rather than for the good of London.

Ken Livingstone and the GLC didn't sell County Hall to the Japanese, this was done after the abolition of the GLC.

I also grew up in affluent Westminster and remember the selling of the cemeteries by the Tory Council to companies ultimiately owned by various Tory Councillors. They were ultimately surcharged and Shirley Porter fled to Israel at one point.

Boris' buffoonery is all an act - the loveable rogue with the messy hair. He is an extremely calculating man who is after the top job - PM.

He is not open and he is not honest. He is also incredibly lightweight.

Did anybody read the interview Jemima Khan did with him last month? I go the impression that she thought it was all an act, and she's no lefty.

In case you were in andy doubt, Ken for me even with his flaws - who wants perfect politicians.

Bingandbear I am by no means a fan of Boris-made that crystal clear in my previous posts. He has become the marmite cartoon character we all love to hate. And utterly terrible in public.

Neither am I a fan of milksnatcher Thatcher or Dame Shirley Bloody Porter and the frankly sick deeds she carried out.... She's still doing very nicley out of Tescos as I understand- every little helps-apologies I deviate...

County Hall may not have been directly sold to the Japanese by Ken, but he hardly left the place in shape to see any other fate did he? The abolition of the GLC may well have not been poor Ken's choice- but do you not remeber the ridiculous firework display he squandered money on as his swansong? He behaved like a spoilt brat who had been mugged for his candy.Ken Livingstone is interested in KenLivingstone, not London, Londoners or their future.

No he went on his travels forging deals with dubious characters and avoiding tax and getting married again (amongst reptiles) -unsure as to if that's relevant-maybe?

If you read my initial post you would see that I had not favoured either option as a good one-but I had rather hoped that we had all learned our very expensive lessons with Ken. As for him enahancing the transport system this time around- stable door?? I think I said I'd rather see Jedward in charge! (Joke clearly)

No. definately Ken. He is a doer if nothing else. Boris was nowhere to be seen during the riots, stayed on holiday, and doesn't care about ordinary londoners.

I personally do not think he is not a person that can identify or speak in behalf of alienated londoners like those who took part in the riots. His constant refusal to talk to tube workers when strikes are threatened is annoying, his judgement in people is questionable. People tend to 'voluntarily resign' if they efffect policies that might affect his popularity as mayor, which is concerning.

doubleshotespresso I do indeed remember the fireworks display and the final concert when the flag was lowered to the sound of Nimrod, I actually found it very moving (that's more to do with the choice of song rather than anything else however).

You may think of him as acting as a spoilt brat, I saw that as someone devestated that an organisation that was there to work for London was destroyed for personal and idealogical reasons.

He's by no means my favourite person but do I think he is committed to the job - yes. Do I think he cares about London - yes. Do I think he wants to the best for London -yes.

The only time I care about somebodys personal life is when they are opining on these points ie do as I say, not as I do. To be fair, Boris doesn't do that.

Still Ken is the best candidate out of all of them.

Yes fabulousdarling Ken's a doer a wrongdoer IMHO

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

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!!!

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

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!!

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!

Delightful? Occasionally

Poetic? Never

Enjoy the chops x

Thanks. Have a lovely evening too!x

Boris if only for comedy value

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

Brian Paddick gets my vote...

Boris. Loathe Ken.

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

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

random @

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 !!!!!