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Ken takes the lead over Boris

New poll puts Livingstone ahead of Johnson in London mayoral race by 45 per cent to 43.

By George Eaton Published 14 February 2011 15:41

Don't bet against Red Ken returning to City Hall in 2012. The latest YouGov poll on the London mayoral race puts the Labour candidate ahead of Boris on first preferences by 45 per cent to 43. By contrast, an earlier poll published in October showed Boris ahead by 46 per cent to 44.

The significant support for Livingstone suggests that his age (he will turn 67 in June 2012) and his political baggage aren't necessarily barriers to his re-election. There are still other candidates to come, not least from the Greens and the Lib Dems, who could cut into Ken's vote, but this poll will reassure Labour that it made the right choice.

As on previous occasions, the result is almost certain to be determined by second-preference votes. Asked who they would rather have as mayor – a question that aims to reflect second preferences – voters still favour Boris by 45 per cent to 42, although his lead has narrowed from 5 points in October.

In the coming months we can expect Boris to do even more to try to differentiate himself from Cameron and Osborne. As I noted last week, growing opposition to the speed and scale of the coalition's cuts means Labour's poll lead has widened from 3-5 points to 7-9 points. Boris's challenge is to achieve what Ken could not and prove that national unpopularity is no barrier to local success.

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Tags: Ken Livingstone Boris Johnson

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24 comments

Mon, 2011-02-14 17:15 — Robert (not verified)

Ken's success or otherwise depends on whether the Tory outer London 'burbs get a hammering in the BS cuts.

They're the folk who poured to the polls for Boris last time and if they do so again then there will be no stopping him.

Wed, 2011-02-16 14:21 — Ihadawheelbarrow

If Ken gets in I seriously will consider moving from London. He was voted out last team for a reason - the people wanted someone else. Why is he now trying to come back?

Tue, 2011-02-15 15:32 — Trojan Horace

What an inordinately witless, uninformed collection of comments - Are all New Statesman commentators so dumbed down they can't come up with reasons for their preferences??

Mon, 2011-02-14 17:43 — Rick (not verified)

As someone who is proud to be considered to be a socialist I have to say I think Ken is a dick. I'll vote for him as Boris is a bigger dick but I can't get away from the fact that Ken is yesterday's man. Let's not forget that he was as much in the pcoket of the city as all the other supposed socialists who were about at the time.

Mon, 2011-02-14 18:04 — Dave C (not verified)

One of Boris's problems is that he has few achievements to point to.

His design for a modern Routemaster is unlikely to come to fruition in the next 18 months.

The bicycle hire scheme (so-called Boris Bike) was announced by Ken Livingstone in February 2008: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/feb/09/transport.world1

Mon, 2011-02-14 20:07 — ang (not verified)

Ordinary people are being hit really hard by the choices being made by the Tories.
Boris Johnson may be a funny 40 something giggling little public schoolboy to some, but to others, especially those who are losing their jobs and homes, he's not funny anymore!
Hope Ken gets in, we are tired of the Tories already.

Tue, 2011-02-15 17:57 — Rick (not verified)

Jesus, I take it all back, get Ken in at all costs.

Alternatively, let's vote in Boris as he's funny. He's a prick in the pocket of the bankers, a philanderer and a c*nt in general but he's funny when he's on HIGNFY.

Tue, 2011-02-22 18:33 — persiancat

Ah Livingstone, a favourite at Press TV (Iranian state media).
Lee Jasper !

Tue, 2011-02-15 19:01 — demonax2

Why not get the Headmaster of Eton to run London and be done with second fiddles?

Mon, 2011-02-14 22:36 — Reginald-Fah-fah

BACK BORIS 2012! We can't go backwards with Ken again!

Boris is a fantastic Mayor! And London would not be the same without our Boris!

Boris is a first rate chap and he is just what the city of London needs. I'm so glad Boris is the Mayor for Greater London as well!

But if Ken gets in! Cameron do a Thatcher and close him down with Osborne's cuts!

BACK BORIS 2012

Mon, 2011-02-14 22:38 — Dominic Lynch O...

Ken couldn't change a lightbulb! I agree with Reggie!

Tue, 2011-02-15 20:24 — Ihadawheelbarrow

Ken Livingstone is a joke. He was a terrible mayor and he is a bad representative for London. The London mayoral job has took on a much more respected image under Boris Johnson.

Ken is an old socialist stuck in the past.

Tue, 2011-02-15 00:54 — postman kitkat

I agree with Reggie & Dominic!! can't wait to go on the good old Boris bus.
where would London be with out him???

Vote for Boris!!!!

Tue, 2011-02-15 01:41 — Anuj Gupta (not verified)

Boris is the correct man for the job of Mayor!

Vote Boris my friends.

Tue, 2011-02-15 01:56 — James Taggart (not verified)

I'm voting Boris in 2012.

Can't put up with Livingstone as Mayor.

Boris is Mayor and should stay Mayor.

Tue, 2011-02-15 10:07 — Reginald-Fah-fah

Marvellous to see other Boris supporters have left comments!

Tue, 2011-02-15 10:57 — Marcus (not verified)

Yes, Boris is the man!

Wed, 2011-02-16 04:23 — Reginald-Fah-fah

My reasons for wanting Boris:

New Boris Buses
Boris Bikes(maybe an award winning design)
His outstanding hard work for our World Cup bid!
Boris is fantastic at representing London on the Parliament Channel, I can just see Ken answering questions for two years! A total disaster for us!

London has came alone way under Boris compared to when Ken was Mayor! Ken is an old socialist stuck in the 1980s and will pull London down!

Unfortunately, I think Boris will pay for Osborne's behaviour. I make a joke or two about Osborne, but Boris is too good of a Mayor to lose over party politics!

Sorry Nick I have taken some of your words but I agree with you!

Mon, 2011-02-14 15:56 — Marcus (not verified)

Ken was, is and always will be a complete and utter disaster for London.

Nobody can doubt this. Look at his record.

I have every faith that Londoners will remember the disaster than was Ken Livingstone, even if the tribalists at the Staggers prefer to forget.

Mon, 2011-02-14 15:59 — Simone (not verified)

Ken was, is and always will be a completely fantastic person to be London Mayor. There is no-one else I would vote for.

Mon, 2011-02-14 16:10 — madasbalooons (not verified)

Simone, I agree completely with your sentiments.

Mon, 2011-02-14 16:30 — Bodva (not verified)

Ken was, is and always will be completely incredible.

I have followed his career for nearly 40 years and I have no hesitation in saying that he is a gifted politician who knows exactly which are the right buttons to push and when to push them. In short, he is the sort person who gives unprincipled opportunism a bad name.

I hope Lewisham People Before Profit put up their own candidate.

Mon, 2011-02-14 16:38 — Robby (not verified)

Ken is ahead of the curve on a variety of issues for Londoners - the Tory Mayor and the Tory cuts have been a disaster for London. Whatever your view, come and debate and discuss it in real time at the Progressive London Conference this weekend - which will be addressing the Cuts, London's Housing, Travel, the Environment, Equality, Stopping Homophobia, Students, Multiculturalism, Peace in the Middle East, Egypt, Saving the Arts,

Mon, 2011-02-14 16:40 — Robby (not verified)

Link for Ken's progressive london conference on Sat 19th Feb:

http://www.progressivelondon.org.uk/conference/prolondon-conference-2011...