The Demise Of Red Ken

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Ttrryosborn

Posts: 1564
Joined: 2005-03-26

Firebrand London Mayor "Red" Ken Livingstone has lost re-election. How come no brits are celebrating or bewailing the loss on OD?

Submitted on Sat, 2008-05-03 18:54

BigC

Posts: 192
Joined: 2007-09-03

You didn't see Boris

You didn't see Boris Johnson's face!

The man most upset was the guy who didn't expect to win. He was visibly horrified.

The "Red" Ken label was rather a silly one invented by our Tory press. Livingstone was an "Old Labour" stalwart who stuck to the principles the Labour party was built on while New Labour turned out to be nothing more than a continuation of Thatcherism.

The first time he was leader of the GLC he was so popular that the Tories had to abolish the Council to get rid of him.

When the Labour party re-installed democracy in London he embarrassed Blair by trouncing the official candidate on an independent left ticket. They had to invite him back in because they couldn't beat him.

And that's the irony. After fighting so hard to get back into the Labour Party he was dragged down by the national unpopularity of New Labour: Especially increasing taxes on poor people in order to give a cut to the better off.

There's lots of theories about the consequences: One is that Boris will be such an embarrassment that he will save Brown by making people aware of what a disaster the Tories would be. Personally I don't think he'll be the disaster that everyone is predicting. Time, as always, will tell.

Submitted on Sun, 2008-05-04 11:59
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englishman

Posts: 519
Joined: 2005-02-27

I don't know whether it is a

I don't know whether it is a triumph for democracy or a pointer to how badly it can serve us. In my opinion Boris lacks the necessary skills for the job, of which one has to be a degree of diplomacy. The man comes over as a buffoon and I do not think it is all an act. It is not as though he is stupid but he would not be someone you would normally wish to represent you (in anything) let alone represent a city like London. I really do not see him as a leader either. I just hope he has a sensible team to guide him through the next few years so he is not a total embarrassment.

On the other hand I don't think it was a good idea for Ken to get another term - I am a believer in two terms maximum for key government positions. I think he was starting to get a God complex and, as a resident of Greater London, his ambitions were getting hard on my wallet. I guess, of the two, I prefer Ken again, but did not really like any of the candidates. This is really why I think that democracy does not serve us well. I think that people voted for Boris because they did not want Ken and because they'd seen Boris on TV a lot. I doubt many looked at their policies. Of course the performance of the Labour party in recent weeks has not helped either. I think if even a monkey with a blue rosette had stood against Ken, he would had a good chance of winning.

On the other hand it could be said that voters have shown their feelings, but whether this has any long term impact in changing the way we vote on people or issues remains to be seen.

Submitted on Sun, 2008-05-04 12:29
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owly

Posts: 650
Joined: 2004-07-31

Red Ken lost for two

Red Ken lost for two reasons: the people of London were sick of him and his policies. He had become arrogant and corrupt. I happen to agree that for such an office two terms should be all that is permitted. The second reason was the unpopularity of the Labour Party. To gain 24% of the vote in the local elections shows just how fed up people are. They are sick of their taxes going through the roof, something which was neatly encapsulated by the 10% rate band. So well done Mr Brown. Please stay in office.

Submitted on Mon, 2008-05-05 17:44
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