Good article Dan, the only problem is the general calibre of mayoral candidates. Do you recall the 2008 elections? Other than Boris, Ken, Brian Paddick and (at a push) Sian Berry, the rest of the choice was a rag bag of religious and far right extremists. The next elections look like being pretty much a repeat of what went before. London deserves better but unless Labour will grab the nettle and select someone sensible this cycle will just continue.

You're right, they're both really poor choices to lead London. I think Ken was a visionary with much needed big ideas and plans for London e.g. travelcards, the congestion charge, backing the 2012 Olympics as a means of East End regeneration. He's now a burnt out visionary and Boris is a smart man who knows acting like an eccentric, slightly bumbling entertainer is the way to Londoners hearts who've had enough of Ken's big schemes and high handedness.

Thing is where is the calibre of politician to lead London well? The political class at the moment is really shabby. Even the national level of politics is very second rate which wasn't true of the Thatcher or Blair eras whatever your political leanings. I'm a Labour voter who voted LibDem at last Mayoral elections but wouldn't vote LibDem again after their behaviour in the coalition. I suspect an Independent, Martin Bell type figure is the only thing that can rescue the situation in London.

This isn't worthy of the New Statesman. I know of bloggers in back bedrooms who can produce better insight than this.

It's one thing to criticise Ken for occasionally throwaway comments. But that's part of his charm. The London riots have not been a golden moment for many politicians, but Ken is rightly politicising the response to it, while Cameron and many others simply denounce the violence as if it had appeared out of thin air. Ken might not be 100% right, but he's raised the level of debate to the political arena.

I agree 100% with this article,as a Labour voter I will never,ever vote for Livingstone.Even the comic is preferable.

Dan is talking about right type of personality to be leader. I think someone with the personality of Alan Hansen, the Liverpool centre back, would be really good. In fact Alan Hansen would be really good. Forceful, no-nonsense and extremely perspective.

Oh Dan. Oh Danny, Danny, Danny. Hang your head in shame boy. There's no doubt that London needs new blood for its mayor, but you could say the same for every political office in the country or even the World. Well done for stating the bleeding obvious, now show us the better, brighter, wiser (everything-er) candidates for the job.

What's really galling about this piece is that you call for a uniting figurehead for London and then criticise Ken for pointing out everything that's been divisive about social/economic policy for the last... well, since forever really, but particularly for the last year.

You're better than this Dan.

Not so sure about Ken. He doesn't improve with age. His best work was in the past Fares Fair, and he also imported an American to help sort out Transport for London, in the same way that Dave is importing a NY cop to sort out crime here. Its sad that Britain is becoming more like America everyday,when it should be becoming more like Paris or Berlin.
I'm sure that Boris decided to stand just for a bet. A priveliged Eton toff who speaks with a plum in his mouth and knows or cares b****r all for the average Londonner got elected thanks to the Evening Standard's scurrillous campaign.
I sympathasise with Hodges, its a tough choice.

Dan Hodges

I have to say that this well balanced thought out article is probably your best so far.

As for who would make a good Mayor of London, thats for London to decide and as I don't live there it would be rude to interfere

What's taken you so long to realise this Dan? I'd never vote for Ken after inviting the author of a wife-beating manual and female circumcision advocate Yusuf al-Qaradawi over to speak. Livingstone is a disgrace.

This really is the doctrine of false equivalence - line up Kens substantive policy achievements over 2 terms against Boris's bikes (anyone care to name anything else of note)?

This constant westminster circle line about ken being divisive - what on earth does that mean? Look at his response to the 2007 bombings. Just because car drivers and white van men in enfield didnt warm to him barely counts as divisive - exactly who was he dividing against each other?

"Ken's charm"? Like reheated vomit.

Johnson's buffoon persona REALLY grates when he even talking about incredibly serious issues. But Livingstone is right about most things, cranky, but still delivering for London. I am sure he will be re-elected.

The Laugh-IN with Dick and Dan fronting a cavalcade of minor stars.
Now we know Dan is really Ken. But, don't tell me..........

Ben S,

I know you were told to comment on this piece, but I think you should at least have read it before doing so.

I especially liked the line about me saying I was considering voting for Boris.

Enter David Miliband? Ken can win London will not vote for a Tony Blair clone

would it be shallow to vote for Boris on the basis he let scooters ride in bus lanes (when we coudn't i used to rant n rave in my scooter helmet about the unfairness of innecessarily risking oneself when a perfectly available lane was free- it REALLY pissed me off, an empty lane, disallowed because i would get in the way of a bus,,mmm.. ) My analysis showed that I had to leave 5 to 8 minutes earlier evry morning, and those were delectable minutes, when the kiddies are up , having breakfast with them.. sounds lame but not often home to see them to bed. So u can imagine my anger was all the more compounded.. need another reason... the bikes!! tat was a good idea surely? Ken alright but the scooter thing was so annoying... sorry to be shallow.. think London runs itself anyway

The last Lib Dem mayor candidate, Brian Paddick, has been on tv a lot, sounding and appearing very impressive. I can't help but feel it's a shame he didn't win. As a former assistant commissioner of the Met, who worked through the Brixton riots and was respected by his local community, he seems just the leader London needs at the moment.

Good article Dan - the sight of millionaire donkey Boris Johnson feigning hysteria and outrage with a broom in his hand in Clapham is sickening...he literally doesnt give a fcuk about Haringey, Hackney, Lambeth, all he cares about is prancing around the world doing his bumbling old Etonian schtick.

And those morons in Clapham who applauded him when he deigned to grace their sweep-up with his presence..words fail me for their sycophancy and fawning over power.

And Ken does care (a bit) but he is as you said a tired old tart, really

Brian Paddick...do me a favour! He is as clueless as Boris Johnson and with the communication sklills of an earthworm!

Nero Johnson hasn't a clue or care about London.
Ken's heart is in the right place; I think in Hampstead Cemetary.
In the end I think Dan will in all conscience grudgingly vote Labour; hes not that enthused with Ed.