Mayoral elections

[Alan Dale]

'The choice will be between two candidates: one who has pioneered congestion charging and cut traffic by 70,000 cars a day, pushed up the supply of affordable housing, boosted bus ridership by one and a half million journeys a day, abolished fares for under-18s, is preparing to introduce emissions charging and free public transport for pensioners and has played a key role in cutting crime and maintaining community relations during a tense and dangerous period. On the other hand, you have a Thatcherite who thinks it's witty to refer to Africans as "piccaninnies" and regrets the end of colonialism, is an enthusiastic Bush and Iraq war supporter, opposed the Kyoto treaty, and is against the welfare state and the "teaching" of homosexuality in schools.'

I will be voting for Ken. Not sure about emissions charging for pensioners though.

Anyone else?

[RosieH]

Before today, I would have said Ken all the way. I'm a fan of his work.

However the Standard's war against him - has that borne real fruit? Listening to him on the radio this morning talking about corruption allegations, I felt placated. but is there no smoke without fire, or is he a contraversial figure, forever the subject of a right wing witch hunt?

[ChavWivaLawDegree]

It's a hatchet job

[barrymarshall]

I wouldn't believe anything you read in a paper which supported Mussolini, Hitler and Mosely during the 1930s (both the subStandard and the Daily Mail).

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Anyone who abolishes bendy buses will get my vote. I only voted for Ken the first time cos Labour said I couldn't! Suspect he got a massive sympathy vote, not sure he has kept it.

[Alan Dale]

Must have been one of Boris' cronies that lounged this thread.

Is ED getting its own Mayor?

Heathrow Expansion an Snoozy traffic wardens are more pertinent local issues are they?

[*Bob*]

Did anyone catch C4's one hour long Party Political Broadcast On Behalf Of The Conservative Party on Monday?

"Dispatches", I think they called it.

[blinder999]

As the opposition candidate appears to be an ignorant buffoon, Ken will get my vote too - though I wish he'd retract the free bus journeys for kids, and reinstate conductors on buses.

[mockney piers]

saw some of it *Bob*, I soon tired of the hatchet being wielded so single mindedly. With Pantsorama so poor these days I normally rely on Dispatches, so very disappointed.

Haven't made up my mind AD. In principal I don't think it's healthy for anyone to remain in office for more than 2 terms, and he is a bit of a tit, but I'm ambivalent towards him.

I rather like Boris, but having heard him on various radio programmes it's obvious he's ill prepared and basically doesn't really know what he's talking about.

That Paddick seems a nice chap though, sort of man you could skin up with if I'm not mistaken.

[Brendan]

I put Borris in the same category as Jeremy Clarkson. Just because I find him entertaining doesn?t mean I agree with him. He?s just a dancing monkey.

Then again Ken is also a tit.

[cdonline]

Brian Paddick is a sweetie, but that's not gooing to make me vote for him. That the Tories have plumped for Boris shows they do not have a credible opponant.

It has to be Ken. The Dispatches programme was an extremely biased attempt to attach blame on him, which in a lot of cases was hardly earth shattering stuff. The presenter's "shock" at seeing Ken have a drink at a public meeting for instance.

[SeanMacGabhann]

I don't think Ken ever got the credit for opposing the tube PFI job either - the whole thing unfolded just as he and others said it would but all that happened at the time was HE was accused of wasting taxpayers money. Him. Not Brown... heaven forfend

He has a history of saying what he means and following it through - for the most part. He's human so is bound to have flaws and a few skeletons but on the whole...

Plus, he used to live a few doors away on the same street as me in Cricklewood

[david_carnell]

I'm voting tactically. Paddick the Ken as second choice. I think he'll need them and there's no way I'm having that tit Johnson in charge of one of the world's major cities.

What's he going to be like in a terrorist situation.

[ruffles hair] oh...errr....well...ummm....you know.....there was this chap at Eton [ruffles hair a bit more]....bloody nice bloke.....had some trouble with some arabs once.....errr.....where was I...?

All hail King Newt.

[Alan Dale]

I agree that Bojo is good on Have I got News for you but I can't believe you like Clarkson Brendan.

[Brendan]

I find the way he intentionally annoys so many people amusing. Especially when they rise to it. I still disagree with him on most things though. Especially cars.

[Brendan]

Particularly Porsche and Mercedes.

[wee quinnie]

Got to be Ken all the way.

I used to like Clarkson for the same reasons as Brendan, but to be honest, that joke isnt funny anymore.

[SeanMacGabhann]

it's too close to home and it's too near the bone

[Brendan]

You see. ;-)

[RosieH]

SeanMacGabhann Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> it's too close to home and it's too near the bone

I'd vote for Morrissey for mayor

[ChavWivaLawDegree]

There is a Green candidate you know. She is actually quite good, despite being blonde.

http://sianformayor.org.uk/

[Jah Lush]

Got to be Ken for me. He went to my old school don't you know (old school tie, actually it was a shit comprehensive in SW2). I like Paddick next but Boorish Johnson is just a bad Tory joke. Hopeless buffoon.

[*Bob*]

You've got to be seriously deranged to vote for Boris.

It's not like putting 'Jedi Knight' in the religion box of the census. He's going to be in charge of London, for god's sake.

[mockney piers]

Gosh, isn't she a pretty little thing? She's got my vote!!

[boosboss]

Ken never has had and never will get my vote! Just wait till he turns his attentions to ED then tells you all 'tough' if you don't like what he's doing! Or changes his mind on yet another election promise.

Will decide nearer the time who gets my vote, but not ruling out BoJo though ;-)