Livingstone's revenge
James Forsyth 4:53pm
Ken’s article in The Guardian last week, emphasising how Labour had done better in London than the rest of the country, strongly suggests that he is not done with public life yet. Earlier today, someone with an insight into his thinking suggested a route for Ken back into electoral politics.
The theory goes that Lee Jasper is acting as a stalking horse for Ken in Vauxhall and that if Kate Hoey is de-selected for taking a role in the Johnson administration and flirting heavily with supporting him before the election Ken would then step in to this very safe seat. In the meantime, Ken will use his forthcoming book to vigorously defend his record and make some strong criticisms of Gordon Brown over the PPP for the Tube. He’ll also speak out for the ‘progressive alliance’ that he championed in that Guardian piece.
Once back in Parliament, Livingstone will be in a strong position to play a role as a power-broker in the leadership election that would follow a Labour defeat—his support among party members and his ties to the unions would make him a particularly valuable supporter. His position on the left of the party and reputation as a rebel, would also make him an attractive foil for any of the Cabinet young guns who are all on the centre or the right of the party and a little bit bland.
The biggest stumbling block to this is the Patience Wheatcroft-led audit of City Hall’s finances: if that was to reveal gross incompetence—or worse—than it would be far harder for Ken to revive his career.
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Comments
Stuart
May 12th, 2008 5:14pmAs Hoey has been re-selected by her constituency party, it would be highly unusual for that process to be overturned. So there isnt likely to be a vacancy in Vauxhall this side of the election. However, there is no doubting that Livingstone would be a difficult candidate to beat were he to seek selection in another London seat where a sitting MP designed to resign.
Frank Pulley
May 12th, 2008 5:33pm"The biggest stumbling block to this is the Patience Wheatcroft-led audit of City Hall’s finances: if that was to reveal gross incompetence—or worse—than it would be far harder for Ken to revive his career."
What makes you think that anyone is in the least interested in bringing any bent politicians to book, whether at local or central government level? Considering the overt scandals that have been whitewashed during the past decade it seems a remote possibility. And remember - the CPS is currently serving the NuLab administration, not Boris. As for reputation - Livingstone is teflon coated. His motto, "I'll have a bloody good drink - win or lose" was a Freudian slip, if ever there was one, particularly given his golden handshake from the London taxpayer. Anyway, as my old granny used to say - "People who live in glass houses [or gherkins] can't afford to throw stones".
J H Holloway
May 12th, 2008 5:59pmQuite right. This bloke is slippery a teflon and as toxic as cyanide. This scenario is also a re-run of what he did to Reg Freeson when Lenin was tipped out of the GLC in the mid-1980s.
The Guardian called what Livingstone and his thugs did to de-select Freeson ahead of the 1987 election as 'political murder'.
In my opinion, Livingstone and his henchmen also used a little light anti-semitism, via the old 'zionist' smear against Freeson.
Let's hope Wheatcroft finally nails this old thug for once and for all.
Ian C
May 12th, 2008 11:07pmI think we should pray for Ken's elevation to Parliament. It would be the dose of reality that defines what the Labour Party truly is. If he then brokers the next leadership campaign, or better still becomes the new leader, we would finally have the ending we are looking for and the future of the country desperately needs - the end of the Labour Party.
Bean Counter
May 12th, 2008 11:25pmI heard from a source as reliable as it was innebriated that Ken still wants to be PM. Watch this space...
GEG
May 13th, 2008 9:55amI hear there's a spare seat in Henley...........