Ken or Boris?

First topic message reminder :

May 3 is the date set for the London Mayoral election. The three main candidates are Boris Johnson (Tory), who has been Mayor of London since 2008, Ken Livingstone (Labour), who was Mayor from 2000 until 2008, and Brian Paddick (Lib Dem). As Paddick is currently polling around 7%, I think we can discount him.

From 1986 to 2000, London had been the only major city in the Western world without its own elected authority. That was because when Labour regained control of the Greater London Council (GLC) in 1981, Thatcher, an enemy of democracy, decided to abolish it. She also abolished six metropolitan councils which just happened to be Labour-controlled. It's hardly surprising that she was a personal friend of General Pinochet, a man not noted for his democratic credentials.

Ken Livingstone was born in Streatham in London in 1945 and went to Tulse Hill Comprehensive School. He worked as a cancer research laboratory technician at the Royal Marsden Hospital. In 1971, he became a councillor in Lambeth, and he was the leader of the GLC from 1981 until its abolition in 1986. He was the MP for Brent East from 1987 until 2001.

Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, a descendant of an illegitimate child of George II, was born in 1964 and went to Eton and Oxford, where, as a member of the Bullingdon Club (in the company of Cameron and Osborne) he spent a night in a police cell after trashing a restaurant. He became a journalist and was the Tory MP for Henley from 2001 to 2008. Once elected Mayor of London (on a salary of around £150,000 a year), he resumed work as a ‘Daily Telegraph’ columnist on a further £250,000 a year.

Johnson, who has campaigned vigorously against the 50% top rate of tax and has frequently defended bankers, is a serial adulterer, compulsive liar, racist, and even a thief, once being made to return an article which he looted from the home of Tariq Aziz in Baghdad. He has a reputation for running up exorbitant expenses, and in short, he’s thoroughly unsuitable for holding any office.

tlttf wrote:Having lived and worked in London under both Mayors, I can assure you that Boris is a better bet for working Londoners than Ken. Take away the promises of both and it boils down to who can generate the most cash from private businesses (this gives jobs and builds homes), who can scrounge the biggest cut of grants from the government to carry out works (more jobs) that benefit the majority and on all fronts B/Doris outguns Ken the Lizzard everytime.

Maybe you have a point tittf, but Doris has put up traveling costs so did Ken or is it you know if Ken gets the job of Mayor that Scam..er..on will make it hard for Ken to get the money to make life easier for Londoners? or is it that Boris has more contacts in the business world because thats his circle of friends Tory party donors.

Probably a bit of both Red. However B/Doris put up fares prior to his election campaign beginning (does this make more honest) and last time Ken came into power having promised fare cuts (strange that) it lasted 8 months before fares rose by 40+%, all in the name of investment of course.

Sorry mate he may appear a bumbling fool, but he gets things done and he doesn't hide. Do you think Ken could have got a major bank to subsidise a cycling revolution, much though I hate cyclists, there are more and more of them appearing due in part to not having to worry about having their bike nicked by some dodgy little hoody.

tlttf wrote:Probably a bit of both Red. However B/Doris put up fares prior to his election campaign beginning (does this make more honest) and last time Ken came into power having promised fare cuts (strange that) it lasted 8 months before fares rose by 40+%, all in the name of investment of course.

Sorry mate he may appear a bumbling fool, but he gets things done and he doesn't hide. Do you think Ken could have got a major bank to subsidise a cycling revolution, much though I hate cyclists, there are more and more of them appearing due in part to not having to worry about having their bike nicked by some dodgy little hoody.

Your wrong tittf he does not get things done he is too busy writing his column for the daily paper and his book its his FLUNKIES that do the work paid for by the tax payer, if he is not a Baffoon why does he act like one and did you know he is a bit of a tea leaf and is not a faithful husband so just pointing out his flaws as you point out Ken's I wish he would use some of the money he earns which is more than most folk earn and buy himself a brush then maybe some one could teach him how to use it on himself.

Successive governments have starved the London Underground of (sufficient) cash since the rebuilding work that followed WW2. The Jubilee line is already crumbling, and although more money has been allocated since the elected Office of Mayor came into being, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall must be on the point of organising a petition against cruelty to Tube commuters.

oftenwrong wrote:Of course. Boris would rather be Prime Minister.

Come May he will be free to persue that ambition OW.

If you believe that Ken used to sit glued to his chair keeping control over everything Red your deluded. Strangely Boris employs less assistants than Ken used to and they're certainly more qualified for the job than the previous assistants whose qualification was they were related or owed favours. Come May Ken will have to retire on his exhuberrant pension.

"Boris employs less assistants than Ken used to and they're certainly more qualified for the job than the previous assistants whose qualification was they were related or owed favours."

Would you care to qualify that statement Land?

Open letter to Boris Johnson:-

22.03.2012

Dear Boris,

Yesterday’s cut in the top rate of tax was a victory for you and the super-rich.

Despite remaining silent on the VAT rise, the NHS Bill and eye watering rises in fares – you have led an energetic campaign to cut tax for the richest 1% of people in the capital.

At a time when tax credits are being slashed, fares are rising and people on low and middle incomes are feeling the squeeze – we believe that you should have been campaigning for measures that will help all Londoners, not just your friends in the City.

Your own diary shows that you have met with bankers and hedge fund managers more times than you have met with the police. They are your most vociferous supporters and provided 84% of the funding for your campaign in the last election. The fact that they will be the largest beneficiaries of this tax cut makes us wonder whether you have to be a Tory donor to get a Mayor to campaign on your behalf.

You have spent a long time lecturing about honesty and transparency during this campaign. You should begin by releasing the minutes of all of your meetings with bankers and hedge fund managers.

Given that they stand to be the biggest beneficiaries of your campaign on the top rate of tax, you will no doubt want to assure the public that you have acted in a manner that is beyond reproach.

Yours sincerely,

David Lammy MP, Sadiq Khan MP, Jon Cruddas MP, Diane Abbot MP, Karen Buck MP, Rushanara Ali MP, John Cryer MP, Andy Slaughter MP, Joan Ruddock MP, Teresa Pearce MP, Heidi Alexander MP, Virendra Sharma MP, Jim Dowd MP, Mike Gapes MP

Boris employs less assistants than Ken used to and they're certainly more qualified for the job

tlttf. What do you mean by 'assistants'? Ken had one deputy, Johnson has had up to five at a time, including one who was prosecuted for misusing the credit card that went with the job. And I suppose you consider people who worked for that disgraced Tory crook Shirley Porter to be "more qualified"?

Johnson has wasted huge amounts of taxpayers' money on unnecessary taxi journeys, often telling the cab driver to wait while he's in a meeting. He goes to Davos every year - at Londoners' expense - so that he can sing the praise of his banking friends and tell the world "not to be too hard on them".

Interesting that Cameron used parliamentary immunity to libel Ken at PMQT yesterday. Ken does pay his taxes, and the company he set up is to ensure that when he pays his staff, the money isn't taxed twice. Bloody hypocritical for Tories like Cameron to criticise that perfectly legal practice when some of the thugs in his government, and his adviser Philip Green, stash their money overseas and don't even pay UK tax once.

Even Doris's assistants have got assistants.

Even Doris's assistants have got assistants.

That sounds like the NHS hierarchy!!

NOW, what is it that david, gideon and boris are doing to the NHS?

AND why??

Sounds like Boris has some humble pie to eat!

(I have a vision of Doris and Pickles round a table somewhere. EEEEEYUGH!)

Ivan wrote:

Boris employs less assistants than Ken used to and they're certainly more qualified for the job

tlttf. What do you mean by 'assistants'? Ken had one deputy, Johnson has had up to five at a time, including one who was prosecuted for misusing the credit card that went with the job. And I suppose you consider people who worked for that disgraced Tory crook Shirley Porter to be "more qualified"?

Johnson has wasted huge amounts of taxpayers' money on unnecessary taxi journeys, often telling the cab driver to wait while he's in a meeting. He goes to Davos every year - at Londoners' expense - so that he can sing the praise of his banking friends and tell the world "not to be too hard on them".

Interesting that Cameron used parliamentary immunity to libel Ken at PMQT yesterday. Ken does pay his taxes, and the company he set up is to ensure that when he pays his staff, the money isn't taxed twice. Bloody hypocritical for Tories like Cameron to criticise that perfectly legal practice when some of the thugs in his government, and his adviser Philip Green, stash their money overseas and don't even pay UK tax once.

I have heard while listening to the Mayoral QT that Doris has given 13 of his staff pay rises well above what is been given to public and private sector workers so I suppose that is called Jobs For The Boys, I heard that as well Ivan but if Ken goes to the public and proves that its just another Right Wing smear campaign or is Davey boy frightened of Doris coming after his job Davey must know that Doris wants to lead the Tory party, I do not like what he has tried too do to Ken it does not matter what Ken does they will try to smear him but after April when the cuts really come in this will come back and bite Doris on the butt and the people of London will know that Ken is not guilty of something only a Tory is capable of doing they just have to look at the only people to gain out of the budget is Tory party Donors.

I will be very happy to see all there faces on the 4th of May when Ken is in and Doris will have to get on his BIKE and Scam..er..on will have a bad case of DIARRHOEA.

Strange how people who live in London want Boris, whilst those who whine about him live elsewhere. Mind you most of you will be too busy counting your savings to get off your arses and vote when the opportunity arrives in 2/3 years time.

"Strange how people who live in London want Boris"

To use your phrase Land --"boll*cks". When you can prove your point then say it, until then stop guessing and going by what your snooty "mates" say when down at your boozer pi**ed up.

Hows the cleaning jobs going melly. Sorry but do you live in London (do you live?). No need to guess pet, get yourself a reality check.

Kens latest wheeze, saying it's ok for Palestinians to launch rockets at Israel cos they don't have a job. What a f*cking moron and people think he's fit to be mayor. Anyway Boris has started to pull away in the polls now that people have began to question where the money for his cuts will come from.

Stay well melly and remember even you have loved ones.

Boris's adjutant is about to explain why he leaned on the Metropolitan Police to halt their enquiries into Press hacking. Several times.

oftenwrong wrote:Boris's adjutant is about to explain why he leaned on the Metropolitan Police to halt their enquiries into Press hacking. Several times.

Thanks for that OW that was something I did not know so if you find out before me could you post it up here thank you.

Daily Telegraph: Scotland Yard has been criticised for the resources it is devoting to the phone hacking inquiry after the force confirmed it has 45 officers and staff working on the case.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/8553774/Met-Police-phone-hacking-inquiry-team-too-large.html

Next week, the Mayor's right-hand-man will give evidence to the Levinson Enquiry concerning the Met "Operation Weeting".

Livingstone promises more magical nannies
14-03-12

KEN Livingstone has pledged to boost childcare for Londoners with the introduction of magic nannies.

Image
The Livingstone Poppins will not force your baby to clean chimneys
The plan, by the Labour mayoral candidate, will see thousands of enchanted au pairs 'blown in' on the east wind, landing gracefully on the drawing room carpet of every home in the capital.

The nannies, who will provide child support for working parents, will also assist with other household chores, such as magic cleaning, magic tidying and magic relationship advice.

Livingstone stressed his traditional flying nannies would replace the weird, warty Nanny McPhees introduced by Boris Johnson.

He said: "Unlike the ugly, high maintenance McPhee, the Poppins nanny doesn't ride a moped and sidecar and so has fewer carbon emissions.

"The Poppins nanny also stimulates small business by continually urging children to buy bird feed for two pence per bag, so it will eventually pay for itself."

He added: "Cartoon penguins."

Liberal Democrat candidate Brian Paddick dismissed both the Poppins and McPhee strategies and pledged to set up a child care taskforce chaired by Nanny out of Count Duckula.

Yeah, bad news from Bradford.

If the electorate are in a frame of mind to return licenced buffoons like Gorgeous George to Parliament then a licenced buffoon like Boris will be swept back into Office.

tlttf wrote:Hows the cleaning jobs going melly. Sorry but do you live in London (do you live?). No need to guess pet, get yourself a reality check.

Kens latest wheeze, saying it's ok for Palestinians to launch rockets at Israel cos they don't have a job. What a f*cking moron and people think he's fit to be mayor. Anyway Boris has started to pull away in the polls now that people have began to question where the money for his cuts will come from.

Stay well melly and remember even you have loved ones.

He is another one that is refusing to publish his Donors or the fund raising Dinners so that is something else that will come out via himself or the Media.

I'm pretty sure Boris will win.

He's popular and Ken isn't.

Blamhappy wrote:I'm pretty sure Boris will win.

He's popular and Ken isn't.

Well here is one person that hopes the good people of London have had enough of Tory sleaze to vote Doris out.

He's such a larger than life figure that I think people consider him an individual and not a representative of the Conservatives.

I don't think Ken has a good enough reputation, and he's oddball like Boris, but in a less flambouyant, less attractive way.

Sorry to say this Blam, but when comments like:-

"I don't think Ken has a good enough reputation, and he's oddball like Boris, but in a less flambouyant, less attractive way."

It become clear that some will be voting on image and not substance....

This is perhaps why we now have the two 'pretty boys' running the country.....

Is this a lady thing?

Could be - part of the appeal of Clegg was his youthful looks.

I don't find Cameron particularly attractive, but he outscores Brown by a long way.

This was sent out to Labour MPs , an email inviting MPs to send staff to help Ken.

We would like you to join us for a day on the battle bus.

From Wednesday 4th April the FareDeal Express will be leaving 39 Victoria Street everyday in the mid/late morning and returning by 6pm. The bus will take MPs, councillors and activists to key target areas across London. If you would like to join us, please e-mail me at Ross_MacRae@labour.org.uk to sign up to arrange for a day (or more) on the battlebus on a date that’s suitable for you from 2nd April until 3rd May.

Please also encourage your staff to join us. This election is going to be a close fight and every activist can help us to win for Labour.

The email asks Labour MPs to send their staff to help Ken. MPs’ staff are paid by the taxpayer to carry out constituency work on behalf of their MPs. It is against the rules for staffers to work on political campaigns during working hours. Note the bus leaves Labour HQ mid-morning and drops them back at the end of the working day. MPs who let their staff go during working hours risk being reported to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner for abusing expenses…

Not a good start for Ken , but Doris will be up to no good also , just a matter of time before the political levee breaks on the tory mayoral machine........ for sure.

It doesn't really matter when Boris messes up - he's considered a lovable buffoon anyway.

Blamhappy wrote:He's such a larger than life figure that I think people consider him an individual and not a representative of the Conservatives.

I don't think Ken has a good enough reputation, and he's oddball like Boris, but in a less flambouyant, less attractive way.

The fact that Boris has impregnated so many women in his social circle and portrays this bumbling character in the media , be under no illusion , he is a predator , he wants Cameron's job . After having watched him on the Mayors question and answer sessions on the BBC parliamentary channel , he is a past master at not answering the question's put to him. I like Boris , but his politics stink , he is an absolute god send to the Labour party, he is the archetypal silver spooned tory boy who has never wanted for anything, if Ed Millipede cannot score points in this wave of class rhetoric , then he never will.
Ken on the other hand , as dull as he is , is a seasoned pro at this game and Boris knows it , the Galloway win will have got tory high command worried incase Ken can muster as much support with the Muslim vote as was seen in Bradford .

Blamhappy wrote:It doesn't really matter when Boris messes up - he's considered a lovable buffoon anyway.

Most people love Walt Disney and his cartoon characters, but i think Boris takes buffoonery too far. How does the man get vote when no one takes him seriously. As a politician, Ken Livingstone is a better politician, a politician of the old school, and a bit set in his ways, still a better bet for London, than the pantomime dame.

Blamhappy wrote:Well, he's been voted in, so it obviously works.

I didn't know Boris had impregnated lots of women! Is this generally known about?

Hey no problem ,
( C ) Daily Mail.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2041220/Affairs-wives-left-anguish-Boris-learned-adultery-fathers-knee.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1323066/Will-Boris-Johnsons-wife-Marina-forgive-latest-affair.html
http://faithfulnessmatters.net/about/why-faithfulness-matters/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1295403/Why-DO-classy-women-falling-Mayor-Boris-bumbling-cad.html

Psalms 8:2: Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

Matthew 21:16: And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

The fact that three of the stories are from the Daily Mail , hardly a LEFT Wing paper ha ha, may leave some tory voters thinking the Mail has deserted them and to a degree it has. Boris is a likable chap , great for the media with his stints on Have I got News etc , but I know the real Boris wants the top job , I have read very disparaging remarks regarding Cameron that I could not print on the forum that were attributed to Boris , they may have attended the same halls of learning , but Boris burns with desire for the top spot. The fact that he is a lothario and sees women as a mountain to conquer then on to the next peak , well he is human , but not every man has the power and privilege to even think of doing the dirty on more than one woman...............PERIOD. My moral compass dictates honesty and fairness , then again I am not Boris.

I had a look at one of the articles. It says that he possibly fathered a daughter, but it doesn't suggest that he has children all over the place. Is this an assumption based on his sleeping around?

Blamhappy wrote:I had a look at one of the articles. It says that he possibly fathered a daughter, but it doesn't suggest that he has children all over the place. Is this an assumption based on his sleeping around?

The fact that Boris has impregnated so many women in his social circle, by this I mean he has completed the act between consenting adults, this I should state does not mean multiple births from the man , contraception must have been used in one form or another, he is still in the act of impregnating female suitors.
I now have a vivid mental picture in my head of Boris..............I must bring this reply to a close ha ha .

Good to have you on the forum Blamhappy.

Scarecrow wrote:
Good to have you on the forum Blamhappy.

That's kind - thank you.

Sometimes I look back at my posts (not just on here) and cringe at their bluntness!

It seems that Boris is still ahead in the polls, perhaps labour should send the team that did so well in Bradford?

I haven't heard anything about Ken. Has he been campaigning?

I suppose the best time to campaign is just before the vote. You can do all you like for a month, but it can all be undermined by one bad headline. If you leave it until the last minute, you can sway public opinion.

I'm not surprised that Boris is leading in the polls, but anything can happen in politics, eh?

So rumour has it Blam.