• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

MayorWatch

London News and Comment

  • NEWS
  • Twitter

Could Boris become the George Lazenby of London Mayors?

August 3, 2010 - Martin Hoscik@MayorWatch

Non-fans might not realise it but George Lazenby, the second actor to play James Bond in the film series, was followed in the part by Sean Connery, the man he’d replaced.

As Labour party members consider whether to adopt Oona King or Ken Livingstone as their 2012 candidate, it’s worth asking whether Boris, like Lazenby, could find himself playing Mayor for only a single outing before his own predecessor succeeds him in the role?

Also like the Bond films, where Connery only made one film after replacing Lazenby before handing the role over to Roger Moore, a Livingstone win in 2012 would surely see a new figure take up London’s leading role in 2016.

By that date Livingstone will be 71 and having served three out of four Mayoral terms would almost certainly be unable to ask Londoners for a further tenure at City Hall. Of course, if he doesn’t win Labour’s nomination next month the curtain will surely have fallen on Livingstone’s time as a front line politician.

So, dubious attempt at humour and dodgy analogy aside, 2012 is likely to be the final time either Ken or Boris seek election as Mayor given Johnson’s promise to serve only two terms. Although a 2012 defeat potentially allows him to come back for a third election, it seems an unlikely prospect.

At the risk of infuriating supporters of Oona, let’s imagine that the 2012 ticket is indeed a rematch between Ken and Boris, what should the Liberal Democrats, London’s third biggest party, do?

As an outsider it’s hard to detect too much momentum behind any potential LibDem candidate though it’s widely said first-term Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon might throw her hat into the ring.

Intelligent, personable and highly regarded even by political opponents in Southwark where she was previously a councillor, Pidgeon could be an effective Mayoral runner but she might be better waiting for the 2016 contest rather than risk being squeezed out by media focus on Ken v Boris part 2.

Of course, in the event that King secures Labour’s nomination the risks of the LibDem candidate being squeezed are lessened and other considerations will apply.

As a party of national government the LibDems will need to ensure whoever they run is a serious, heavyweight politician. That at least should save Londoners from serving as the test audience for Lembit’s stand-up act.

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

RECENT UPDATES

852 new homes to be built in Acton by Transport for London

HGV operators in London urged to apply for a Direct Vision Standard permit

TfL proposes bus and tube cuts and annual fares increases to achieve long-term financial sustainability

London’s entire bus fleet now meets ULEZ emissions standards




Popular

1,700 extra Santander Cycles are coming to London’s streets

TfL confirms changes to Older Person’s Freedom Pass and 60+ Oyster card hours

TfL fares to rise in return for £1.6bn Government rescue package

Election for Mayor of London and London Assembly postponed until 2021

FEATURED

City Hall to move to Docklands as Mayor seeks to raise £55m for frontline services

‘Concern’ over TfL’s ability to deliver major projects in wake of Crossrail cost overruns

City Hall halts London Overground ticket office closures but many will still see opening hours reduced

Transport for London confirms bus cuts will go ahead despite passenger opposition

GOT A STORY?

As the original London news and scrutiny site we've been casting an eye over the capital's public services and politicians since 1999.

 

Many of our top stories started with a tip-off from a reader - if you've got something you'd like us to cover get in touch and we'll do the rest.

Stay In Touch

  • E-mail
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2021 MayorWatch Publications Limited · MayorWatch is Registered Trademark · All Rights Reserved · Contact Us · Terms of Use · Privacy Policy

MayorWatch Publications Limited · 20-22 Wenlock Road · London N1 7GU · Company Number 6291816

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.