Back Boris
Matthew d'Ancona 9:05am
We have had the debates. We have had the interviews. We have had acres of newsprint, some sensible, some way off the mark and some downright scurrilous. Can anyone doubt that this has been an exciting mayoral race?
But it isn't just about excitement. This is the real thing: Londoners, today you must vote for change or more of the same. A fresh start and a candidate fizzing with ideas, or a tired municipal socialist demanding four more years for his rusty old gravy train. And those outside London: watch and keep your fingers crossed. Whatever national politicians say to the contrary, this contest will be a hugely important punctuation mark in this Parliament and the narrative arc leading inexorably towards the next general election.
So - for the last time at this election - I urge you all to go out and vote for Boris. And if you don't live in London, call, text or email someone who does and tell them to get on with it. Believe me, it's in your interests. This is it, folks. Seconds out and good luck to Our Man. He is going to win.
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Comments
Tiberius
May 1st, 2008 9:40amI do believe this contest is a prequel to story of British politics for the next ten years. If Boris wins, we can be realistic about the prospect that Cameron will win the next GE. If Ken wins, the probability of no Tory majority looms (whether you believe that is because Cameron isn't doing enough or because the British electorate is myopic, the outcome is the same.)A Ken win is a reason to join the expats who gleefully post about their emancipation on the DT message boards. But, like Matt, I think Boris will win. He has to.
Jason
May 1st, 2008 9:43amWhatever happened to Toby Young essentially blogging BoJo's entire campaign? I thought TY would have contributed a lot more to these pages on this election.
CS
May 1st, 2008 9:49amSeen the hilarious ad hominem on Boris in today's Guardian? Thought at first glance that they were going for him seriously as a last throw of the dice but it's actually jaw-droppingly pathetic.
After the pious Toynbee lecturing us the other day on the wickedness of the Evening Standard attacking Ken, they themselves produce the sort of poisonously personal diatribe that can only serve to swell the Boris vote. Turns out that he's not just racist and homophobic, he now actually "despises" Africans and gays.
I don't know what it is with the Guardian's political commentators but they never seem to be able to get the mood right. If they had an ounce of political nous in their heads instead of a couple of pints of bile, they'd have twigged long ago that the majority of people like Boris and are simply not disposed to believe that he's a baby-eating racist.
So you'd have thought that the Guardian would have been banging away for weeks at more productive areas - policy and ability. But no, it's been self-indulgent, personal bile all the way.
They started off the campaign with the ludicrous sight of that daughter of earls, Polly Toynbee, accusing Boris of being a "toff". And they've ended the campaign with Boris accused of being unproven in anything beyond having a big gob by, of all people, Zoe Williams. A woman whose record of productive work rarely strays beyond inflicting on a long-suffering readership detailed updates on her tooth-rottingly sweet offspring.
Oh well, on the useful rule of thumb that, when the socially useless like dear Zoe are pissed off, someone somewhere must be doing something right, I'll be voting for Boris tonight. As many times as possible.
RON BRADBURY , MECHANIC (NOT AN ACTOR OR DRESS DESIGNER)
May 1st, 2008 10:02amTHE PEOPLE WHO WRITE INTO THE GAURDIAN ARE FUMING IN CASE BJ WINS THE MAYORAL RACE. SOME OF THE LETTERS ARE SO CRUEL IT MAKES THE PERSON WRITING IT APPEAR MORE HORRIBLE THAN THE PERSON THEY ARE ACCUSING. ALLEN RICKMAN, BIANCA JAGGER AND VIVIEN WESTWOOD TO NAME 3. THEIR BILE DUCTS ARE WORKING OVERTIME. THEY SEEM TO IGNORE KEN'S PECCADILLO'S. STILL THATS THE NATURE OF THIS GAME. THERE IS NOBODY WORSE IN MY MIND THAN A CHAMPAGNE SOCIALIST. THEY SHOULD BE LIKE ME, A RIGHT WING SOCIALIST. BUT THEY WOULD NOT RECOGNISE THAT TYPE OF POLITICS IT'S TO PRAGMATIC.
not secret
May 1st, 2008 11:16amNot a secret ballot.
Your voter number is being writen on a form alongside the reference number for each voting form.
Paul B
May 1st, 2008 11:21amThe Blues beat the Reds last night, lets hope to make it a double today and treble come 21 May. From Stamford Bridge to City Hall, we will keep the Blue flag flying high!!!!
GeoffH
May 1st, 2008 1:03pm"Not a secret ballot" - Oh, for heaven's sake not this old tosh again.
Every election, there's a fresh ingénue who falls for this.
Once and for all, the matching of voting paper serial numbers and electoral numbers is done to prevent electoral fraud.
Perry
May 1st, 2008 1:22pmAs we said at the beginning of this campaign, the fact that PollyTwaddle et al are agin Boris is an affirmation of the need for Boris to stand.
Go for it Boris, - we need you.
Tiberius
May 1st, 2008 1:30pmWhy pull the "What are you seeing" thread?
Pete Hoskin
May 1st, 2008 1:42pmTiberius: we're just checking something. It could be back up shortly (w/ all the original comments)
carol42
May 1st, 2008 9:32pmcould it be that the Conservatives plan to share government advertising instead of it all going to the Guardian? still don't know why that's allowed. Without this it is doubtful if the gaurdian would survive for long.