[SJD88]

Are the games an issue in the London Mayoral race? I know that a tiny party is against them (i think its called Left list but i could be wrong) but are any of the bigger parties making a big deal out of it? And have any of the candidates commented onthe torch relay?

[The Tower Bridge Fox]

All the main Candedats are suporting the London Olyimpics, I think Ken Livingston Has been the Mayor long enough and I would be happy with Brian Padick or Boris, as Mayor.

[DarJoLe]

Although all the main parties support the Olympics in principle (except the BNP who will cancel them) you have to look at the larger picture, including transport, which is under the Mayor's jurisdiction. Boris has said he will 'crush' the Tube unions who strike and hold Londoners 'to ransom' and that he wants to 'prise the Unions hands off the commuters' windpipe'. It's very obvious that if Boris gets in, he will not be liked by the RMT union, and they may call his bluff by striking over the Olympic period. Ken has a better understanding of the unions and their demands, and is more likely to broker a deal with them before the Games are on to make sure they are happy with the massive demands that will be placed on the Tube during the Games.

Ken has a better and richer understanding of the Olympic project being involved in it from the start, and has built up relationships with the IOC to the extent he may be able to change their demands regarding the Olympic lanes and gas guzzling limos which are simply not needed during the Games. He also has a better understanding of London's make up and would be able to make instant decisions in the run up to the Games to ensure they are a complete success, Boris I feel would dither and vote for what Londoners want, and that doesn't always mean the best result in the long term. Boris also has a history of making incredibly racist blunders, and although Ken has similar non-PC remarks, they have not been made at official political business events. It could be quite disastrous if Boris made racist comments in the run up to 2012.

[arwebb]

Let me put it to my London colleagues this way - who is going to look better waving the Olympic flag at Beijing's closing ceremony? Ken or Boris?

[Stu]

I'm not usually a Labour supporter, but Ken Livingstone is by far the best candidate for Mayor.

[RobH]

Boris seems to be all "style" (and I use that word in its loosest possible sense) and no substance. I'd normally be inclined to vote Lib Dem, but will probably vote for Ken to try to stop Boris getting in. Ken's not perfect, but the alternative is such a big unknown, and an unknown who hasn't run anything in his life, that it's not worth the risk imho.

[RobH]

Just a quick question; are the rest of the world aware of who Boris Johnson is? Are you guys across the pond, on the continent and elsewhere in the world aware of the guy who could be running London - and be our figurehead at the handover ceremony - in a few months time? If you're not now, I'm sure you will be in the years to come if he wins this election.

[DarJoLe]

Unfortunately, Boris is ahead in all the polls, even ones commissioned by City Hall, under Ken's leadership.

It has to be said, a lot of people are voting for Boris because they don't support the Olympics and its increasing costs.

[SJD88]

Rob ♪, on Apr 8 2008, 02:23 PM, said:

Just a quick question; are the rest of the world aware of who Boris Johnson is? Are you guys across the pond, on the continent and elsewhere in the world aware of the guy who could be running London - and be our figurehead at the handover ceremony - in a few months time? If you're not now, I'm sure you will be in the years to come if he wins this election.

Well i try to keep up with UK, Irish, French, Canadian, and EU politics. I get a much more watered down version because I don't live there. I pretty much know what party I would be in if I lived in any of these countries. If I were voting in London i'd probably vote Lib Dem as my first choice and then Labor would be my stratgic second choice.

[MIKYSALT]

I think Brian Paddick is a very impressive candidate , and it was when Boris said he would bring back the Rout Master that his poll rating went up. I also think London could do with a bit of eccentricity.