The London Labour Party has confirmed Ken Livingstone as its candidate in next year’s Mayoral Elections.
The announcement comes after the party consulted members across the capital. Party members have also endorsed the sitting London Assembly members to stand in next year’s election.
Deputy Mayor Nicky Gavron, Murad Qureshi, Jennette Arnold, John Biggs, Val Shawcross, Joanne McCartney and Len Duvall have all been reselected by Labour members.
Mr Livingstone there “were three key issues which every candidate must address in the Mayoral election.”
“London’s economy must continue to be successful. Economic success is the precondition for everybody’s prosperity and for the distribution of wealth throughout the capital.”
“Second, all Londoners must be able to participate in our city’s success, both to achieve social justice and to guarantee a decent quality of life for everyone.”
“Third, this success must be sustainable in the long term – which means above all dealing with climate change.”
The Mayor said next year’s elections would be “a straight fight between the progressive policies of my administration and Conservative plans to end free bus travel for under-18s and reduce pressure for more affordable housing.”
A spokesman for the Labour Party said today’s confirmation of Mr Livingstone’s candidacy “contrasts with the crisis in the Conservative Party.” The Tories were forced to delay their selection process after it became clear a ‘big hitter’ would not emerge.
More recently it emerged that party leader David Cameron had failed to secure a deal with the Liberal Democrats to endorse former BBC Director-General Greg Dyke. The Liberal Democrats have yet to select their candidate.
In a taste of things to come Len Duvall AM, Chair of the London Labour Party claimed “whoever is selected as the Tory candidate will be damaged from the start as their leader’s second choice after Cameron’s botched attempt to ditch them.
Mr Livingstone made it clear that stopping the BNP from being elected to the London Assembly would be “an election priority” warning “racism will be the policy which the British National Party will use to try to win their first ever seats in the London Assembly.”
“The election of open racists to the London Assembly would be a blow to London’s international reputation and undermine the good community relations which make life so much better throughout the city. The best way to stop tiny unrepresentative groups of racists being elected is for every Londoner to turn out to vote no matter which party they choose to support.”
