London Mayoral Election - New Poll

[KeyboardJockey]

Jesus, how did I miss Paddick's desperation on that other thread... mind you, I wish I could miss KBJ's desperation on pretty much any thread.

Anyone who votes for Johnson is voting for selling London to the highest bidder and fuck the poor as hard as possible, and at a time when they're likely to be fucked pretty badly as it is. Ken's bigot-hugging is pure politicking and trying to keep different groups happy and tolerant, Johnson's is pure ignorance. Whatever your criticisms of Ken, and no matter how fair they are, there is no excuse for voting for that nasty cretin. I'm sorry to go on about it KBJ, but once all our shit is sold off and and shut down and the cost of living in london is higher than ever, we can't go back and it's the fault of people like you. And there's you planning to leave the country. Well cheers, vote in a tosser to fuck up our schools, transport, streets and infastructure and piss off. That makes me so fucking angry, it's nasty and malicious and all because Ken allowed some nobber a platform. That's Daily Mail reading bigotry and nastinest of a manner I never expected from someone as generally easy going as you. Makes me so mad.

I don't actively WANT Boris but how else is Livingstone to be removed? Voting green or Lib dem isn't going to do it as they don't have anything like the support that Boris has.

 

[Dan U]

oh yeah and i am voting Ken.

not cos i think he is perfect, far from it, he is the least worst option imo.

 

[bluestreak]

I don't actively WANT Boris but how else is Livingstone to be removed? Voting green or Lib dem isn't going to do it as they don't have anything like the support that Boris has.

But it's not like you're voting for a protest vote when someone else will win anyway, he's a good chance of getting in and then pow! whatever big business and little england want they'll get, and fuck the rest of us. It's more important than Livingstone's smugness and the congestion charge, it's even more important than their respective attitudes to race (and really Livingstone's crime is pretty minor here, politics being what it is), it;s about who manages the infastructure and for whose gain. Under Livingstone plenty of good things have happened that simply wouldn't have happened under anyone else, and I don't think that's worth risking just because he didn't kick some bearded godbother in the bollocks.

 

[skyscraper101]

But it's not like you're voting for a protest vote when someone else will win anyway, he's a good chance of getting in and then pow! whatever big business and little england want they'll get, and fuck the rest of us. It's more important than Livingstone's smugness and the congestion charge, it's even more important than their respective attitudes to race (and really Livingstone's crime is pretty minor here, politics being what it is), it;s about who manages the infastructure and for whose gain. Under Livingstone plenty of good things have happened that simply wouldn't have happened under anyone else, and I don't think that's worth risking just because he didn't kick some bearded godbother in the bollocks.

Quite. This completely.

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

Seems a bit pointless having this debate again. Anyone who KeyboardJockey hasn't already got voting for Ken will never be convinced.

 

[oryx]

Did anyone see Paddick in Time out last week? REALLY didn't come across well.

Yes - he threw a wobbler! At least he had the grace to apologise to the TO journo, I suppose.

I shall most definitely vote for Ken. Not because he's the least worst option but because I think he's good.

He has fought to get a higher proportion of social housing in new developments, & I think the congestion charge was a brave step - and even though I drive I'd like to see it taken further.

I really hope that racist nobbish knob Johnson doesn't get in.

 

[Roadkill]

I don't actively WANT Boris but how else is Livingstone to be removed?

I don't understand why you hate Ken as much as you do, but even if you have your reasons, what on earth is to be gained by voting for someone who is certainly going to be a whole lot worse?

 

[El Jefe]

I don't understand why you hate Ken as much as you do, but even if you have your reasons, what on earth is to be gained by voting for someone who is certainly going to be a whole lot worse?

Because he'd rather vote for a known bigot and racist than someone who, erm, consorts with racists and bigots, of course.

Hang on - that can't be right.

 

[Roadkill]

Because he'd rather vote for a known bigot and racist than someone who, erm, consorts with racists and bigots, of course.

Of course. How silly of me not to see the logic behind that.

 

[Dan U]

He has fought to get a higher proportion of social housing in new developments,

he doesn't enforce it much though

plenty of developers are spotting the loopholes.

 

[KeyboardJockey]

I don't understand why you hate Ken as much as you do, but even if you have your reasons, what on earth is to be gained by voting for someone who is certainly going to be a whole lot worse?

I've listed my reasons before. As regards Boris I reckon he will be a one term mayor which is what we need to make a proper break with Livingstone. I do like some of his policies though such as properly enforciing the removal of free travel priviledges from anti social youths but giving them a chance to win them back with community service, bringing back conductors on buses, not being so rabidly anti car although agreeing that milage has to be reduced but by carrot not stick, better buses and cycle facilities, a system of 'community listing' for historic local sites that may not be covered by the national listing system, cutting down on the amount of mayoral propaganda that spews from city hall, not increasing local taxes to pay for the Olympics. There are some good popular practical policies there which is what London needs. I have misgivings about Boris but not as many as with Livingstone.

To add: Boris also said that he doesn't want to see an end to the various diversity festivals in Trafalgar Square but he believes that there should be a greater proportion of sponsorship money as opposed to public funding.

What also impressed me was a public committment never to invite to city hall anyone who is sexist racist homophobic or antisemitic, so no bigot hugging for Boris.

 

[Bob]

I don't understand this perception that Ken's somehow in any sense liberal.

He is a great fan of gay bashing nutters like Qaradawi and autocrats like Chavez.....

 

[KeyboardJockey]

I don't understand this perception that Ken's somehow in any sense liberal.

He is a great fan of gay bashing nutters like Qaradawi and autocrats like Chavez.....

Exactly. Nail, head, hit.

 

[Roadkill]

Some of those policies sound reasonable and some (such as bringing back conductors) plain unrealistic, but that still doesn't explain why you're so desperate to be rid of Livingstone.

Okay, so he invited Al-Qaradawi here: that's just politics, as bluestreak says, and I can't imagine Boris would do otherwise. And anyway, is it really such a great offence in the grand scheme of things? Okay, so there's a bit of 'mayoral propaganda: again, that's politics and Bojo would spin just as much. The only thing I can see there that you really hate Livingstone for is the congestion charge, and I think that's a good thing.

No, I'm still puzzled, but then I've not read most of many of the threads where I've seen you putting the boot in and there's probably no point in going over old gound again...

 

[El Jefe]

I don't understand this perception that Ken's somehow in any sense liberal.

He is a great fan of gay bashing nutters like Qaradawi and autocrats like Chavez.....

And Johnson is entirely free of bigotry and authoritarian tendencies?

 

[FridgeMagnet]

I really don't think at this stage that arguing with KJ about Ken Livingstone is going to be terribly productive....

Anyway, Sian first, Ken second, personally. The Greens have the platform that I agree with most; given that they won't win, I'll then go for Ken to avoid bloody Johnson.

 

[scifisam]

Ken, then either Brian or Sian (probably Brian).

What also impressed me was a public committment never to invite to city hall anyone who is sexist racist homophobic or antisemitic, so no bigot hugging for Boris.

I've asked this before, but I don't think you answered: just how is he going to manage that? That would exclude every religious leader and half the general population. And himself.

 

[Harold Hill]

Whatever your criticisms of Ken, and no matter how fair they are, there is no excuse for voting for that nasty cretin. .

Except that Ken winning will be seen by all the political establishment as an endorsement of him and his divisive policies. Will anyone (ken included) take account of peoples genuine greivances? I'm not holding my breath.

Lose lose whatever you look at it. The 1992 General Election all over again.

 

[Harold Hill]

Okay, so he invited Al-Qaradawi here: that's just politics, as bluestreak says, and I can't imagine Boris would do otherwise. And anyway, is it really such a great offence in the grand scheme of things? Okay, so there's a bit of 'mayoral propaganda: again, that's politics and Bojo would spin just as much. The only thing I can see there that you really hate Livingstone for is the congestion charge, and I think that's a good thing.

...

Inviting over somebody like Jorg Haider in the 90s wouldn't be treated as 'just politics' though would it.

 

[scott_forester]

I'm voting Paddick, flip flopped a bit on the 2nd one - but I suspect it'll be blank. Just can't vote for Ken again.

 

[ChrisSouth]

What also impressed me was a public committment never to invite to city hall anyone who is sexist racist homophobic or antisemitic, so no bigot hugging for Boris.

So, he won't be inviting himself to County Hall should he win? From where will he govern?

If you have gay marriage, you may as well have three men and a dog marrying. Quote Boris Johnson.

Johnson who supported Clause 28.

Johnson who as never been on a pride march?

Johnson who couldn't even say GLBT without fucking up the ordering?

Johnson who thinks that Mandela is one of the biggest criminals there is?

Johnson who thinks casual racism is funny?

Johnson who thinks that the only way that Africa can be 'sorted out' is to send in the former colonial powers?



Need I continue......?

 

[Crispy]

Remember folks, the way the vote works, you should put who you'd really want for no.1 and then your choice of ken or boris for no.2

 

[Urbanblues]

VOTE

LIVINGSTONE!​

 

[tbaldwin]

I don't understand this perception that Ken's somehow in any sense liberal.

He is a great fan of gay bashing nutters like Qaradawi and autocrats like Chavez.....

Lumping in Chavez with Qaradawi is a bit out of order. Chavez may make mistakes but he is essentially on the side of people who want Social Justice. Qaradawi is a bigot,who Ken should be deeply ashamed of giving any support too.

 

[tbaldwin]

Remember folks, the way the vote works, you should put who you'd really want for no.1 and then your choice of ken or boris for no.2

Only if you think either of them is fit to be mayor...I suppose if you think spending all that money on the Olympics is OK you wont mind voting for either. If you think London should be ruled by an egotistical clown,you wont mind voting for either.