Musings on Livingstone

So Ken's decided to run, and I really don't know what to do. I've been a supporter of Ken from the beginning -- I always thought it would be excellent to have him back in County Hall, or whatever that weird Norman Foster replacement will be called. The final nail in Thatcher's coffin. But now he's gone and broken innumerable promises to back the Labour candidate and not to stand as an independent -- if he wanted to stand as an independent, he should have done so from the beginning and I would have supported him. But now he has shown himself to be without integrity, and what's more he will have only very limited support in the London assembly and absolutely none at the Treasury. Much as I'd love to poke a finger in Millbank's figurative eye, I also want a mayor for London who can actually get things done. So do I support Ken? I think at the end of the day I might be forced to vote Dobbo. Second preference Ken, of course -- I have to say I'm not worried about the Labour vote splitting and Norris getting in for 2 reasons: Norris still doesn't have all that much support, and in any case even if he does get in it's not the end of the world. As Tories go, he's really not that bad. It's not like Archer's still running.

-----Original Message-----

From: Livingstone for London [SMTP:simonfletcher@livingstoneforlondon.org.uk]

Sent: Monday, March 06, 2000 5:36 AM

To: News from Livingstone for London campaign

Subject: Ken to stand as Independent

NEWS RELEASE

6 March 2000

EMBARGOED UNTIL 10am

 

STATEMENT FROM KEN LIVINGSTONE MP

The London election on 4 May will now be a referendum on whether London's

first elected mayor will bring self-government to the capital, or merely be

a fagade with all real decisions taken centrally.

Democracy and local self-government will be meaningless if candidates and

policy are imposed centrally, riding roughshod over the views of the people

of London. But that is what is taking place.

A new standard in ballot rigging was set in the selection of Labour

candidate for mayor. Frank Dobson wins with 24,000 votes and I lose with

74,000 votes, three times more than Frank.

On public transport, the government says it will impose a policy - breaking

up and part privatising the tube - rejected as unsafe and inefficient by

most Londoners.

It would have been in the best interests of London and democracy in the

country if those making decisions in the Labour Party had listened to London

on these issues. By the end of last week it was clear that they would not do

so.

Disraeli once said: 'Damn your principles. Stick to your party.' I do not

agree with him. I have been forced to choose between the party I love and

upholding the democratic rights of Londoners.

I have concluded that the defence of the principle of London's right to

govern itself requires that I stand as an independent candidate for London

mayor.

ENDS

 

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This is an announcement from Ken Livingstone's campaign

to be mayor of London. For more information and the

news archive, see http://www.livingstoneforlondon.org.uk

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