Why Ken is talking up a Mandelson challenge
James Forsyth 4:29pm
Ken Livingstone has added fuel to the fire that Fraser started with his News of the World column revealing that Peter Mandelson was being talked about as a possible Labour candidate for Mayor of London by saying that he had been warned to expect a challenge from Mandelson. But it strikes me that Livingstone might be engaged in a typically cunning spin operation.
Mandelson is the ideal opponent for Livingstone. He is an establishment figure and so allows Ken to run as an outsider. At the same time, Mandelson doesn’t have the support or connections in the London Labour party that Ken has. In any primary contest against Mandelson, Livingstone could expect to win comfortably.
What Livingstone wants to avoid is a race against either David Lammy or Oona King. Livingstone fears that a race against either of them would be all about race or gender. And Livingstone, a practioner of identity politics, knows how divisive that could be.
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John Moss
December 21st, 2009 4:37pm Report this commentNuLab hate Ken, OldLab hate Mandy.
Life of Brian here we come. Judean Popular Front, Popular Front for the Liberation of Judea.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahah!
Nicholas
December 21st, 2009 4:41pm Report this commentOh give it up Ken. You have already been Mayor of London and made everyone's life a misery with your stupid last century Marxism. Bugger off and do something else, preferably in Venezuala with your commie mate Chavez.
simon
December 21st, 2009 4:48pm Report this commentYes, that sounds right. Race apart Lammy and King are both too thick for the job.
Charles
December 21st, 2009 4:52pm Report this commentI can't believe that the Mandleson rumour is true...the best argument put forward is that it would allow him to follow in his grandfather's footsteps because his grandfather was chairman of the LCC in the 30s.
I could just about believe that for the Foreign Office...rumour had it that Douglas Hogg wanted to follow his father and grandfather to the Woolsack...but to want to hold a position that your forebears did relatively early in their career? It just doesn't ring true.
David Lindsay
December 21st, 2009 5:10pm Report this commentWho cares? Like most people outside London (and no doubt quite a few in it), I cannot really see the point of the Mayor. What does he do?
There are ten times as many quango members in London as Borough Councillors, Assembly Members and the Mayor put together. And neither the Mayor nor the Assembly has any fiscal power. None. Not even that of a Parish Council.
Like so many things about London when viewed from anywhere else, it is quite impossible to see what all the fuss is about.
Chuck Unsworth
December 21st, 2009 5:12pm Report this commentNobody in their right mind would vote for either of these two scumbags. Take a very close look at their friends and associates. Mandelson with his Russians and Rothschilds, Livingstone with his Irish Republicans and South American dictators. That's all you need to know.
Holly ......
December 21st, 2009 5:28pm Report this commentDon't forget it is not up to Livigstone or Mandelson who is mayor of anywhere it is the people.
They STILL don't understand who actually does the voting.
If Londoner's wanted Livingstone surely he would still be mayor?
ajs
December 21st, 2009 5:34pm Report this commentTalk about the Ghost of Christmas (Labour) Past!! Back to the newts, Livingstone - they probably have about the same level of intelligence as those who voted/would vote for you.
Yow Min Lye
December 21st, 2009 5:45pm Report this comment"What Livingstone wants to avoid is a race against either David Lammy or Oona King. Livingstone fears that a race against either of them would be all about race or gender." And Livingstone, a practioner of identity politics, AIN'T BLACK AND AIN'T FEMALE!
Stephen Rothbart
December 21st, 2009 7:26pm Report this commentGreat! finally Mandelson is going to stand for a senior post which requires him to actually be elected, rather than given it by one of his cronies in Labour or the EU. At last some voters will be able to show how very disliked this man is.
Richard Greene
December 21st, 2009 7:29pm Report this commentHe's hoping an increased ethnic minority population will vote for him. Hopefully they'll ignore him, as they won't know who the hell he is!
Kevyn Bodman
December 22nd, 2009 2:16am Report this commentDoes anyone else share my sadness that someone can be a stronger candidate BECAUSE of being black and/or female?
I am happy to accuse suporters of this state of affairs of being racists.And/or idiots.
David Short
December 22nd, 2009 2:25am Report this commentCuddly, funny, intelligent, popular Boris against cold, grim, supercilious, snide, dodgy, undemocratic Mandelson?
Bring it on.
Naomi Muse
December 22nd, 2009 1:58pm Report this commentPah! It's just a ruse!
Take no notice - a red herring has been trailed before us all.
It is deflecting attention away from the government's appalling performance, dithering, not addressing the fiscal deficit, etc etc.
The ugly sisters - Livingstone and Mandleson - are on cue with the Panto season...
To you, from me, with love, OVER!
and, hopefully they soon will be.
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