Ken Livingstone Overtakes Boris Johnson In Race For Mayor Of London

Ken Livingstone Boris Johnson

The Huffington Post UK   Dina Rickman First Posted: 19/01/2012 12:30 Updated: 19/01/2012 13:46

Ken Livingstone has overtaken Boris Johnson in the race to become London mayor, according to a poll by YouGov.

The Labour candidate has managed to gain a five-point swing since last June, meaning he now leads Boris by 51%-49%.

YouGov president Peter Kellner said the race was "too close to call" and Boris was no longer the "likeliest winner of London’s coming mayoral election."

"Boris’s New Year problem is that he is seen as increasingly out of touch," he said. Instead Ken was seen as more "in touch" with the concerns of ordinary voters, following his campaign against tube fare rises.

Commenting on the poll, London Labour MP Tessa Jowell said the results were "encouraging."

“Of course this poll is encouraging, but there will be many more polls between now and the real poll on May 3.

"The Labour campaign is one which is touching every doorstep, on every street in every borough across London and our promises to Londoners reflect their priorities in tough times.

"That’s why there is growing support for a different Mayor – one who is on their side and will cut their fares, not a part-time mayor who only stands up for a privileged few.

"The race is wide open.”

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Ken Livingstone has overtaken Boris Johnson in the race to become London mayor, according to a poll by YouGov. The Labour candidate has managed to gain a five-point swing since last June, meaning h...
Ken Livingstone has overtaken Boris Johnson in the race to become London mayor, according to a poll by YouGov. The Labour candidate has managed to gain a five-point swing since last June, meaning h...
 
 
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11:26 AM on 01/23/2012
I'm a huge fan of Boris. Although maybe just since I saw his documentaries about the Romans. Make more shows like that, Boris. Forget this politics lark - I don't think its your forte.
03:42 PM on 01/20/2012
Perhaps we could have a referendum on self government for London and build a wall around it. with both ken and Boris jointly in charge - a coilition - perhaps if they both get 50% of the vote.
photo
the grange gorman
Rachel Corrie is the greatest person since Lennon
09:23 AM on 01/20/2012
Konnie Huq(Brooker ?) for mayor of London !
04:05 AM on 01/20/2012
Couple of tossers together.
Neither has a clue about life and they both live in airy-fairy land.
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10:49 PM on 01/19/2012
Boris really should be Retired so that he can go and live upon his very own self made Island off Kent, where all the Buffoon's live.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Dombeyandson
07:42 AM on 01/20/2012
A bit like the story that the Empire will die when all the buffoons leave Gibralter
09:53 PM on 01/19/2012
Iss there no one else available to become Mayor? Ken Livingstone was voted out of the Mayors office because Londoners were fed up of his policys and the crooks he had working for him, now he wants to return and dictate to Londoners again. He will shove travel prices up even more. He only listens to himself and not to people, he thinks what is good for him is good for everyone. He doess not have to pay to use TFL like we do, he gets free travel or claims the money back....for everything possible. The congestion charge will be increased too, mainly because of his dislike for cars, which he does not seem to realise that we need for everyday purposes. He is responsible for traffic congestion in London by ordering bus lanes to be put all over the place causing traffic queues to double in length - hence the congestion. His refusal to celibrate England on St George's day yet spend £millions on other "groups" paid for by Londoners many of whom do not belong to these groups.
03:38 PM on 01/20/2012
I agree with the bus lane thing. That just does not work for anyone but a bus, taxi and cycles. If only the buses would stick to them as well. There has to be another answer.
09:33 PM on 01/19/2012
Both bighead blowhards.
LoveAfrica
Knowledge is Power & the Truth shall set you Free
01:46 AM on 01/20/2012
Ken, Bighead? Ken is one of the most down to earth politicians. Always fighting for the average man and against the elite.
07:30 PM on 01/20/2012
Against the elite?
He is part of the elite.
09:30 PM on 01/19/2012
Red Ken or Buffoon Boris. What a choice.
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Dombeyandson
07:43 AM on 01/20/2012
OR Red Ken and Blue Buttons [he is a bit of a pantomime]
09:28 PM on 01/19/2012
Boris, pull the stops out, this cannot happen pleeeease!!!!!!
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Dombeyandson
07:44 AM on 01/20/2012
He has and it's stopping - besides what's he done for you especially?
03:40 PM on 01/20/2012
bikes probably. That does seem to be a good scheme, but the only thing I can think of that was good about his term
08:47 PM on 01/19/2012
As a "natural" Labour supporter and Londoner, I say it's vital that we unite behind Boris to keep creepy Ken Livingstone OUT. He is a notorious supporter of Sinn Fein-IRA and schmoozes Islamic extremists. Unfit for office, the Labour Party should have picked Oona King instead, a sensible and likeable candidate, and one who could have wooed disillusioned voters like me back. Boris has been quite a good mayor, taking steps to improve life for all Londoners, not just a few client-minorities. Boris recognises London's ethnic, religious and sexual minorities, but he also recognises it includes businessmen and school-run mums too. For a united London, vote Boris - for a divided London, vote Ken. The joke candidate, Brian Paddick, isn't worth discussing.
09:35 PM on 01/19/2012
Paddick his election bonus is that he is not Ken or Barbie, oops, Boris.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Dombeyandson
07:44 AM on 01/20/2012
One of the inbetweeners I believe
11:25 PM on 01/19/2012
Don'r forget the jaunts to south America, China etc all on the tax and rate payers of London - we are a generous lot!
06:37 AM on 01/20/2012
Yes, you're quite right. I seem to remember Ken went to Venezuela on a jolly - something to do with supporting the left-wing dictator there in exchange for oil to keep London buses on the road?
08:37 PM on 01/19/2012
we don't want that IRA loving,anti white English /car hater in charge again.
09:36 PM on 01/19/2012
I can cope with someone who does not like cars.
02:13 AM on 01/20/2012
you are obviously not disabled & live in a rural area,try boarding a bus(IF OR WHEN THEY COME) with bags of shopping whilst relying on walking aids,only then to be pushed & shoved all over the place ,no seats, or deafend by some little pratt with his i-pod blareing out to all & sundry.
08:27 PM on 01/19/2012
They say Gordon Brown is looking for a job, thats that fella who had to apologise to a lady after calling her a "Bigot"because she "Dared" ask him about "immigration", I hope he gets the job, Ken Livingston is next to the Devil, In saying that Boris does make your skin crawl, ive a Prediction whoever gets in will put a "Fiver" on the "Congestion Charge"(at least), these people have to be looked after in the way they always have, the best of everything, money no object, Rite, time to get by to my "Nettle" soup, Have a lovely day.
09:37 PM on 01/19/2012
I made nettle tea, lovely.
as to the politics, they all make my flesh crawl.
08:08 PM on 01/19/2012
When visitors to London hear the ramblings, and see the antics, of the highly educated present mayor of the city, what must they think of the average ordinary resident pleb ?? The guy is an absolute laughing stock who should stick to being the clown we all know from " HAVE I GOT NEWS FOR YOU ".
This comment has been removed.
07:41 PM on 01/19/2012
I agree nicknok London should be part of France, it's full of weirdos and foreigners