April 25, 2012. Copyright 2012, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Can Ken Livingstone make it a hat-trick?
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, April 25, Graphic News:  He seems utterly convinced that the job of mayor still has his name on it, but can Labour candidate Ken Livingstone persuade Londoners to mark his box with a cross and return him to City Hall when they vote on May 3?

As the race nears its end, Livingstone appears to have given up trying to beat Conservative incumbent Boris Johnson in the popularity stakes -- polls show most believe Boris has more charisma -- but that doesn't mean he'll let go of his dream to resume where he left off four years ago. People may find Boris funnier, he says, but do they really want Tories in Westminster and London?

Livingstone is on to something there. As support wanes for David Cameron's government, cash-strapped Londoners could opt to go for the Labour mayoral candidate to register their anger with the hardship many are facing under the Tories in Westminster. Livingstone's "Better Off" pledge aims to claw back money for the capital's residents on rents, childcare and, most crucially, fares.

Two times mayor Livingstone, 66, has almost made a career out of dividing people. The former MP for Brent East was a thorn in Margaret Thatcher's side when he led the Greater London Council until she abolished it in 1986. "Red Ken" was lumped with the "loony left" fringe of the Labour party and was banished from the party when he lost the mayoral candidacy to Frank Dobson in 2000 and decided to stand as an independent. He won then and again in 2004, forcing Tony Blair to retract his criticism and let Livingstone rejoin Labour.

In those days, Livingstone may have had enemies in his own party and on the other side, but he could still count on the support of many people who admired his unapologetic stance and independence. The public perception of him has changed as he has caused offence with comments such as those comparing a Jewish journalist to a concentration camp guard, faced accusations of tax dodging, and seemed bitter in his attacks on Johnson. The news in 2008 that he had three children no one knew about added to the impression of a secretive man who was not always honest in his dealings.

Livingstone is proof that a long public service can work against you: some simply want him to move over to make way for new faces. However, despite falling out of love with Livingstone the politician, many Londoners still find a lot positive about his record as mayor, including the introduction of the oyster card, free transport for young people and more police on the beat. He was also widely praised for his handling of the aftermath of the 7/7 terrorism attack.
/ENDS