The Conservatives have announced today that they are going to run the selection of a Conservative Mayoral candidate as an open primary - all Londoners get to vote. This is a high risk strategy - but then again finding a mayoral candidate is no easy task and engaging the public in the real election when it comes is equally difficult. It could be something like this might fire a greater interest in the voting mind. It will be interesting if the other parties adopt this approach.
I dislike Ken Livingstone; he is a bully and his fawning to tyrants and world leaders, that frankly no Government would want to officially speak to, distresses me and a good many others. Apart from the introduction of the congestion charge, which appears more about making money than doing anything real and lasting about climate change, what else has he done? He will claim the Olympics - but was that him? He will tell us "Safer Neighbourhoods" but even the public I speak to are beginning to doubt their effectiveness - just look at the two days off they all took at the same time in Berrylands.
Then there is the number of buses on our roads - let's not get started on the empty bus syndrome!
His electoral success has been in placing himself almost "beyond politics". He has become a celebrity rather than a politician and for this reason he has been succesful in keeping his post, even after he came back into what should have been a damaging Labour fold. He is the cheerful chappy, the only man who took on New Labour and beat their mayoral candidate as an independent. Given this you could argue that the Conservatives need a celebrity candidate, but do they?
So who should stand for the Conservatives. I gather Lord Coe is not interested - who would blame an Olympic champion wanting to run the games in his home country? Steve Norris again? Somebody from outside politics? It could even be you reading this if you are prepared to be a member of the party at the date you nominate yourself.
Think you can run London? Why not apply and click here.
2 comments:
Maybe you should give us your A-list - and don't forget to include a representative from all minorities.
Trouble is I don't have one. The simple fact is choosing a candidate that is high enough profile and can win is going to be difficult. Will the 'A' list be asked to try. Will Adam Rickett step forward - although I presume he is not a Londoner?
Whilst I think the open primary idea could well be good one I am not sure how it gets a candidate that will win.
Still, there is no harm in trying. If no one votes then what have we lost by trying.
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