Forum Topic

Boris Johnson for Mayor??

My view is that if he is chosen he will not succeed. The London Mayoral Campaign has always been about image, and substance seems to take a back seat. It is said that Boris has a fine mind, and having read his articles on a range of subjects, including those that touch on human frailties of one sort or another, I would say that assessment is accurate. However there are the 'Gaffes', Liverpool being the biggest reciever of such things. Now our present encumbant is not without sin in the 'Gaffe' stakes either, but he gets away with it, and his hard core of support seems only to see the superficial 'cheeky chappie' image and not much else. Maybe some of them are worried about loosing their freedom passes. That was eluded to at lunchtime  on the BBC London Today by Ken, so maybe he is a tiny bit worried? However I think Ken need not worry too much, because it would take someone who can charm his hard core of support away by having the right sort of charm as Ken, but much more so, Boris does not possess that, any more than the previous candidate with an eye for the Ladies had, and he shot himself in the foot with a Jarvis Gun.Do we really need a Mayor at all? There are many who said at the time that a Greater London Authority is only going to end up as another layer of bureaurocracy, which we will have to pay for through increased Council Tax, that view could be right, but now we are stuck with it, I would hope that London could get someone who puts London First, and political ambition behind him or her, I doubt that that can ever be possible.

Colin Vaughan ● 7017d38 Comments

By and large I agree with you Colin but , whatever you may think of Ken's politics, there is no evidence to support the view that he puts London's inerests behind his own political ambitions. Had that been the case, he would have stayed as a mainstream politician and not wandered off into local issues. I don't always agree with him by any means and some of his ideas are too radical for me (I disagree with closing down ticket offices for example) but as a homegrown Londoner, I do think he tries to put us first when it is far more fashionable to hate everything about London and its people. He hasn't destroyed business in the capital as many predicted but he has failed to substantially improve public transport and that may or may not be to do with the central government's insistence that public services make a profit. A service is just that, a service and should never be intended to be a commercial enterprise. I think he is justified in being concerned about the removal of the freedom pass and free transport on buses for children. There is much anecdotal eveidence from Tory parts of the country to support the fact of expensive bus travel. My mother and father benefited enourmously from free public transport and it kept them mobile for many years. Indeed, my father celebrated his pass by doing a lap of the Circle line !  I much preferred Stephen Norris to Boris Johnson and I don't think Mr J. can claim to be as one with the people of Greater London.

Penny Crocker ● 7016d

I agree that some aspects of Ken's Mayoral time appear to be London orientated, but his various gaffes are far more serious than anything Boris might come out with.However, they just get ignored, thats why he gets away with it because people only think of themselves very often and not the wider issues. As far as free travel is concerned I think it would be political suicide for any potential Mayor to even advocate that regards at least the freedom pass, although other aspects of it for older school children might come under scrutiny, not least because it has in parts of London led to near anarchy at 4pm. That of course is a debate regarding social behavior in a wider context. The only other person that might have taken Ken to the cleaners was one G. Archer, but he did for himself big time, so my view is that Ken is safe,60% will vote for him simply because they will look at their own interests, and he knows it!

Colin Vaughan ● 7016d

If Boris is selected by the people of London as the Conservative candidate, he will win comfortably.A majority of Londoners are sick and tired of Red Ken and his undemocratic, extremist socialist, anti-semitic and racist policies. The extension of the Congestion Zone westwards has been a disaster and his attempts to force through the West London Tram Project are anathema to people in West London.His alliances with and welcome to left-wing and Islamic extremists and homophobes are not welcomed by most Londoners.The rapidly escalating cost of running City Hall and the whole bloated, expensive and unnnecessary London Mayoral apparatus is not welcomed by London council taxpayers.In contrast to the Conservatives, the Labour Party has not given Londoners any say in the selection of the Labour candidate for London Mayor.But that is pretty consistent with Labour's coronation of Gordon Brown as Prime Minister without an election of any kind- even with the Labour Party !Boris will bring a badly needed breadth of fresh air and moderation to London.

David Giles ● 7016d

What's the betting that Ken will suddenly cancel his plans for the west london tram (in favour of Crossrail) just before the election??? (.....and then reconsider if he gets back in)

David Archer ● 7016d

Anti-semitic policies?  I know that he made some well-reported remarks which a large number of people understandably took to be anti-semitic, but how are his policies anti-semitic?I mean - if they are then that's disgusting and let's boot him out of office but do you really have any evidence for that?

Leon Markham ● 7016d

I think that Ken is a hugely intelligent tactician.  He will not push through the tram in the end - there's no need for it, Crossrail is far more important and crossrail will take a lot of pressure of the Uxbridge Road corridor.  This is just conjecture but I think that the Tram serves two important purposes in Ken's politicking: - Something to distract people from the real things he's getting up to.  Do you remember when he announced that he wanted to put a statue of Nelson Mandela up in Trafalgar Square.  If I remember correctly at about the same time he also announced that he wanted to take on a hugely expensive American to run the london underground.  All the tabloids reported the Mandela story and he managed to sneak in the expensive american.  - Something to give way on to show he's listening to the electorate - we all felt Congestion Charging to have been forced on us, and free bus travel for kids is causing some consternation - so why not let us feel we've won for a change.Personally I feel that Ken is an excellent administrator who does a great job for London - I don't agree with a lot of his politics but I also feel they don't get in the way much of him doing a good job.  If he wants to spend 5% of his time on things I consider to be silly nonsense then that's a price worth paying...

Leon Markham ● 7016d

Businesses HAVE closed - mainly independant traders - this friend of mine went out of businesshttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4516163.stmand he wasn't the only ones. Ken Livingstone forces us onto public transport - there would be an outcry if animals were transported in such conditions. London's roads are as crowded as they ever were - mostly with empty buses; as I detest the tube, I have tried to get buses where I can - only to find them unreliable, dirty and more often than not they take an absolute age to get anywhere. Meanwhile Ken swans around in taxis.

Trizia Fiorellino ● 7016d

Ken Livingstone's anti-semitic remarks are a matter of record as are his welcome to a notoriously anti-semitic Islamist preacher.A judge said Mr Livingstone's gibe to Oliver Finegold, a Jewish reporter for the Evening Standard, calling him a "concentration camp guard" was "unnecessarily offensive" and "indefensible", and he should have apologised

David Giles ● 7016d

For a full listing of Ken Livingstone's anti-semitic remarks see:http://www.kenlivingstone.org/kens-big-expensive-mouth/obsessedwithnazis.html

David Giles ● 7016d

What a revolting individual he is

Trizia Fiorellino ● 7016d

There is me thinking that I should have posted my observations on W4 OR TW8 or both! Well there you go!!One thing is certain, once this gets going the whole thing will be a dirty campaign.. I expect that the 'Guardianistas' and summary Liberals on one side, whilst right wing 'Red Necks' on the other are sharpening their political knives, I shall observe with interest.Perhaps as Ealing is usually so civilised, a transfer to the other Forums mentioned might be in order.On the other hand postings on Ealingt might outdo Chiswick for once, we shall see!

Colin Vaughan ● 7016d

If Boris had decided not to stand I think the whole thing would have been a bland forgone conclusion when election time arrive. At least we might see a lively debate, and maybe a record turn-out on Polling Day, we shall see.

Colin Vaughan ● 7016d

If Boris is selected as the Conservative candidate by the people of London, Boris will be the People's Candidate running against Red Ken, the candidate imposed by the Labour Party.It will make for an interesting election

David Giles ● 7016d

14 posts so far in this thread, and I'm still waiting for someone to explain why Boris Johnson might be a good choice for London Mayor.  What qualifications does he have?  Has he ever run any sort of enterprise?  He might be a good writer and an amusing clown on TV, but does he really have what it takes to lead and manage this great capital city of ours?  I am waiting to be convinced.

Richard Jennings ● 7016d

In response to, "Has he ever run any sort of enterprise?  He might be a good writer and an amusing clown on TV, but does he really have what it takes to lead and manage this great capital city of ours? "One might ask the same of Ken who I could never describe as amusing.First Boris has to win his party primary. Unless Labour encourage all their people to register and then vote for someone else Boiris should walk it. ( I do not think Labour will do this but I see nothing in the system to stop them) Who else is likely to be shortlisted?Boris will be assured of the ABK vote - anybody  but Ken. He has an engaging personality but my conclusion having read his biography is that he is the complete political pragmatist prety well devoid of traditional Conservative principles. So that might go down well too. His one great cause is the advancement of Boris, interspersed with a bit of something on the side. Will his foot in mouth disease put more people off than his funny man persona attracts voters? We shall wait and see. I think it wil be an interesting contest.

Graham Weeks ● 7016d

Richard,I think Boris is at least well qualified as Tony Blair was when he became Prime Minister or is certainly much more  qualified than Ken Livingstone when he became Mayor first time around.From 1999 to 2005 Boris was the extremely succesful Editor of "The Spectator" building it up into being the most highly regarded weekly political and literary magazine in Britain.Being editor of such a magazine is a fairly serious managerial job by any standards.He was President of the Oxford Union, a position held by many previous Prime Ministers and Cabinet Ministers.He has been MP for Henley-on-Thames since June 2001 and Vice-Chairman of the Conservative Party (October 2003 - November 2004). He has been Shadow Minister for the Arts (April 2004 - November 2004) and Shadow Minister for Higher Education from December 2005.Boris was born on 19 June 1964 in New York, USA, educated at Eton, (King's Scholar) and Balliol College, Oxford (Brackenbury Scholar in Classics). He worked for The Times, The Wolverhampton Express and Star before joining The Daily Telegraph, where he was successively a leader and feature writer, EU Correspondent, and Assistant Editor. He has published six books: "Friends, Voters, Countrymen; Lend Me Your Ears", "Seventy Two Virgins", "Dream of Rome", "Have I Got Views for You" and "Life in the Fast Lane: The Johnson Guide to Cars." Mr Johnson is married to Marina and they have two sons and two daughters.He is a well known cyclist and has won many awards for his journalism and TV work.That's a pretty impressive set of credentials by any standards.But more importantly, Boris is definitely a full paid up member of the human race which is a quality that seems lacking in so many life-long politicans like Ken Livingstone or Gordon Brown.

David Giles ● 7016d

What has Livingstone done?  He's a socialist career politician and for all his years in politics what has he achieved?  Boris is fairly new into politics and has been given responsibilities, Culture and now Further Education because it is obvious he is capable.  He is a good motivator of people and will bring the best to London and make the best of London.  Anyone who is in a new job has to adapt to that job and Boris has shown that he can take on new challenges and come through.

Barbara Yerolemou ● 7016d

I like Boris Johnson but personally don't think he is up to the job. The cliche about him is that he is a brilliant man pretending to be a buffon. There is no doubt he is well-educated but I see no evidence of brilliance in either his written work, his stewardship of the Spectator or his expressions of political philosophy. I think the buffonery is a cloak for insecurities about his abilities.You don't list in his CV his serial adultery and the dishonest denials he made prior to exposure. I don't think we should judge politicians by a superficial assessment of the way they conduct their personal life but in the case of Boris Johnson his infidelity does follow a pattern of recklessness and irresponsibility that would make it unlikely that he would buckle down to the very demanding task of running London. Despite his personal problems he doesn't lack integrity. His refusal to name Simon Heffer as the author of the article on Liverpool is in stark contrast to Heffer's own cowardice in not admitting to it himself but this issue does show a lack of judgment on Johnson's part.It is unfortunate that the Conservatives cannot come up with a better candidate. Ken has benefited over the years by the failure of both Labour and Conservative to put up a credible alternative to him. The idea that Steve Norris or Frank Dobson were ever thought electable is bizarre. It would seem that the problem for the Tories is that the Mayorality of London is seen as a political dead end so nobody of any real calibre wants the job and we are left with an attention seeking individual who wasn't even considered for a proper cabinet position by his old school chum but yet is apparently good enough to run London.

David Atkinson ● 7016d

There is another little conflict in all this concerning Gordon Brown, and Ken Livingstone, which might muddy the waters a bit. The PPP Partnership for modernising the London Underground was pushed hard by Brown, but bitterly opposed by Livingstone. Well it looks like Metronet is going to go into liquidation over the week-end, and so this will bring Brown, and Livingstone into direct conflict again, which mean that Brown will have to endorse Ken through gritted teeth, or do the unthinkable. Fortunatly for all concerned the Election is not until next year, so maybe all will be conveniently forgotten by then.

Colin Vaughan ● 7016d

David,I am glad that you like Boris and value his integrity. So do I and millions more.In my view Boris Johnson's stewardship of "The Spectator" was brillant.I have been a regular subscriber and reader for over 20 years and in my view Boris has been by far the best editor over that period. Since when has adultery been cause for disqualification from holding high office in this country ? In some political circles unfortunately it would almost seem to be an obligatory qualification. And then there are all the other politicans, like Ken Livingstone, who lived with their partners without being married and who therefore could not technically be accused of adultery when they decided to "move on" and live with someone else.How many people would openly admit to adultery to the press until they had the opportunity to discuss the matter with their spouse ?The Mayor of London is a very important position. In fact it is so important and so high profile that many politicans would prefer a safe seat in the Cabinet or Shadow Cabinet instead.I think it is greatly to Boris' credit that he is willing to submit himself to this ordeal.

David Giles ● 7016d

ColinThis is a very good point. Ken Livingstone should be blaming Gordon Brown for the failure of the Metronet PPP.Gordon Brown should be blaming Ken Livingstone and Transport for London for the failure of the Metronet PPP.The shareholders of Metronet should be blaming both Ken Livingstone and Gordon Brown for the failure of the Metronet PPP.And the long suffering commuters of London should be blaming both Gordon Brown and Ken Livingstone and that Kiely chap hired by Livingstone at a huge cost to fail to sort out London Underground !

David Giles ● 7016d

I didn't say that Boris's adultery disqualified him from office. My view is that things can go wrong in the most decent well-intentioned person's private life and therefore should never be used as a measure of their integrity. My point was that the way he handled his exposure was dishonest and incompetent and pointed to broader character flaws. Basically I think that he enjoys the limelight too much and will not have the necessary application to sit through committee meetings on street cleaning or urban renewal. Whatever you think of Ken his grasp of detail and work ethic is first class.  As I understand it Boris is not yet the candidate but only on the short list. Your party would do well not to be blinded by his charm and star quality and look for someone who has the gravitas and desire to do what is a very important job.

David Atkinson ● 7016d

Well there is the point that 'The job sometimes makes the Man'David. One or two American Presidents could be said to fit that scenario.

Colin Vaughan ● 7016d

David,I agree with you that this a serious matter.However Ken Livingstone has had two terms and it is time for a change. Boris is of course not yet the Conservative Party candidate. First of all he has to be approved by the Conservative Party's own selection committee and then he has to be selected by the electorate of London as a whole.This contrasts strongly with Labour's imposition of Ken without even having a contest or an election by its own members.

David Giles ● 7016d

I do wish Boris would stop riding that bike about. No helmet, no bell, at least Cameron only does it for a photo shoot. Now Boris is even higher profile, who knows what white van driving anachist is waiting round the next bend!!

Colin Vaughan ● 7015d

There was an interesting documentary last night about how Mayor Daley in Chicago is making the city more environmentally friendly, through use of his planning powers, and doing things like getting a green (growing) roof put on city hall, and covering over a sunken rail line and car park to create a beautiful new park. Then I remembered that the Mayor of London has also recently been given overall planning powers for London. It would be great if Boris (or indeed Ken, and whoever else is a candidate) took a similar line. He could ensure that public buildings became more environmentally friendly, make it a rule that any new offices, etc., have to have green roofs if they have a flat roof, have to have windmills if they are high enough (see how the windmills on top of the university building on the Uxbridge Road are almost always turning, while I have yet to see the new road-side windmills opposite Ikea on the North Circular moving), and only granting planning permission for large developments if they are good for the environment. (And, of course, make London better for cyclists, but I'm sure Boris will do that anyway…. :^)If you can view the Sky Arts channel (also in HD), then have a look at Design E2 (E squared), it's a series about green architecture and is repeated at 01:30 on Thursday, 19:30 on Friday, 17:30 on Saturday and 12:30 and 20:30 on Sunday (there's a new edition at 21.00 on Tuesday). Some other nice ideas Chicago has taken up include a lovely new police station, that is not just more environmentally friendly but more friendly overall - it includes meeting rooms for community activities.Unfortunately, the production is a bit indulgent – it seems obsessed with the tilt-shift effect that leaves only a small part of the picture in focus (done well it can make any photo look like a miniature model shot – have a look for it on Flickr), when it would be nice to get a better look at all the buildings.

David Fox ● 7015d

Sorry David, but Windmills are a futile waste of time in an urban environment as David Cameron found out. Much better to have Solar panells heating the water requirements, saves a mint on Gas as I have found out, but it still takes a long time to get your money back. Might make some people feel good about themselves by their Windmill display, as so many of the Great and the Good seem to want to do. Last November the BBC South Today Programme, trumpeted a great trailer about how they were going to transmit the programme by wind power. On the day in question, indeed for a whole Fortnight there was no wind at all, as the UK had a huge High Pressure System stuck over us, egg on faces all round.Standby Diesel Generator, negated the whole thing.

Colin Vaughan ● 7015d

Colin, sorry, but "Windmills are a futile waste of time in an urban environment" where there is no wind - such as at low levels (on houses or by roadsides). They make much more sense at high levels, such as on top of the university building on the Uxbridge road, where they are often turning even when there is barely a breeze at ground level. It doesn't help that the design of most windmills means that they are not very efficient at low wind speeds. There are some lightweight plastic or carbon fibre windmills that spin around a vertical axis (where the heavy bit, the turbine, can be positioned at ground level) that make a lot more sense in urban environments than the giant propeller systems usually seen.I agree that solar panels for water heating are probably the most cost efficient of the green "power generator" systems (they can pay back in two to five years), but really good insulation/draught proofing is the best possible investment so you don't need to generate heat in the first place (payback 18 months to three years).Combined heat and power units (a bit like a gas combi boiler but also generating electricity, and small enough to cater for a single house - although most efficient in sizes for a group of houses) are probably the best option for the medium term.

David Fox ● 7014d

If you have a moment, have a look at http://www.wandsworthtown.com/ then 'How is Boris doing' in the forum and see if the poll works for you.

Peter Wright ● 6681d

Peter, the poll works. However, I do have one minor grammatical quibble: "Good/Very Good" should be replaced by "Well/Very Well" (i.e. Boris is doing very well). Sorry for being a pedant! ;-)

James de Vivenot ● 6681d

Hi James, your point is noted. I just wanted to see if the poll would work and Boris was a convenient guinea pig.

Peter Wright ● 6681d

Has he done anything of note yet apart from banning alcohol on public transport (a good thing)? I'd be noice to ban food on the tube too........horrible in rush hour when some plank's eating a burger.

Penny Crocker ● 6680d

Definitely agree about hot food.Egg containing sandwiches are pretty revolting IMO.Where can one buy Dorian fruit in London? :)

Alan Brainsby ● 6680d

Alan, you can buy the wondrous Durian fruit at the Hoo Hing Chinese Supermarket which is on the A406 North Circular Rd  (Near Hangar Lane Park Royal London NW10 7TN). I wouldn't recommend you eat it on the tube though, as you might cause a riot! A good way to get the whole carriage to yourself, though.  Best eaten alone, in the bath.  This supermarket also sells fab. fish, you can choose it from the tank while still swimming:-)

S. D. Brock ● 6680d

Sheila, thank you.I'll wander over to Hoo Fing this week.I think I might be reasonably safe eating a Dorian fruit in Hanger Hill park on the way back!!! :-)

Alan Brainsby ● 6680d

Alsn you can also buy Durian at Loon Fung in Alperton, facing Sainsburys or if you fancy a trip to town you can buy it from China Town in Soho.

Robert Julian Fernandez ● 6680d

I've got this mental picture of Alan sitting in a bath eating Durian fruit surrounded by swimming fish.

Peter Wright ● 6680d

I must admit to living next door, well 20 metres, from a large fishpond (45m x 20m) but we're not allowed to go in it. However I could sit on the small pier and consume the fruit, the fish swimming beneath me, the terrapin sunning itself in a semi-submerged log, and one of the Brentford herons parked at the water's edge...                ... Ealing does have its charms (and I don't mean me!).

Alan Brainsby ● 6680d