Ken Livingstone is to run again for the London mayoralty, two years after he was ousted from City Hall. He began his campaign to become Labour’s 2012 mayoral candidate yesterday. Claiming that he has the “necessary recognition” to defeat the incumbent Boris Johnson, Mr Livingstone, 64, will challenge Oona King, the former MP for Bethnal Green & Bow, in September for the Labour candidacy and the chance to oust Boris Johnson in 2012. He believes his support base is still strong and blames his 2008 defeat on plummeting support for the Labour Party.
Although Mr Livingstone has attracted support from a handful of Labour council leaders, there is scepticism within the party that he is the right candidate to take on the popular mayor. Many members believe that it is time for a fresh face. Mr Livingstone said: “This requires high recognition [to win the mayoralty]. He [Mr Johnson] will have an unpopular Tory Government around his neck and I won’t have an unpopular Labour Government around mine.”
The Labour Party will choose its candidate in September. Hopefuls have until June 18 to put their names forward before a shortlist is produced by a panel of national and London party representatives. An electoral college, made up half-and-half of votes by London party members and members of affiliated organisations will then pick the candidate.
