The important part of this argument is that many Green party activists may be politically sophisticated enough to know that it is important, but will Green voters.
In his recent interview on this blog, even Derek Wall, one of the two Principal Speakers of the Greens thought Ken was in favour of hesathrow expansion, which was a myth put out by the Evening standard.
the key thing is that the Green party should actively try to ensure that Green voters are aware of the issue, and try to deliver a high 2nd perference for Livingstone. because last time round most Grren voters disn’t, and we simply cannot afford it this time round. says Andy Newman.
If Ken had the courage of his convictions Ken he’d have the election in the bag by now, and subsequents ones too for that matter. Londoners seem to like him, would like a transport sytem that works effectively (and would be willing for a radical break with PFI), are pretty environmentally aware, want more housing built, etc, etc. These are things that are moderately leftwing and Londoners are for. If he’d gone down this line, Boris wouldn’t be an issue.
It’s because Ken has been to some extent a failure that Boris could win. If Boris can avoid the scandals to which he is fantastically prone, my prediction is that Ken will be sunk by the perfect New Labour storm: slowing economy, house prices may start to tumble even in London, zany incompetence of Gordon Brown and chums, lots more New Labour scandals (party funding, etc), and so on and so forth. I think Boris will be the next Mayor of London.
notes Tawfiq Chahboune
Well quite an interesting discussion here on what the Green Party should do and yes I stand corrected Ken has been opposing the expansion of Heathrow for quite a while, but in my defence I would like you to note his support for a new Heathrow Terminal....I suppose terminals are not runways?
Mr Livingstone said he was pleased that parties had agreed on a scheme "that puts energy efficiency and renewables at the heart of plans for a new Heathrow terminal".
He said: "The challenges associated with climate change will define how our city develops in the coming decades and, as the gateway between our city and the world, it is right that Heathrow airport leads the way in meeting those challenges."
I think what I like best about Ken has been opposition to incinerators and of course his sterling support for Venezuela.
But Ken has rejoined New Labour, so this could be his electoral undoing in May. What the Greens will do about Ken comes down to a decision by London members:
To follow up Matt’s point, most people I know in the London Federation of Green Parties are in favour of giving Ken a second preference. It was discussed in a preliminary way at our AGM and there was general support for it, and it will be put to formal vote of the members soon.
I imagine that we will be giving Ken a second preference, and can assure you we have thought of all the reasons mentioned in your post.
Comment by Aled Dilwyn Fisher
In the election for Mayor in May there is a first preference vote and a second, so the field is reduced to two candidates and the second votes come into play....so all Green voters can use a second preference...the likely leading candidates are his Ken ness and Boris Johnson.
Frankly despite Cameron's green noises and Boris's cycling...he is a bit ungreen. Greenpeace notes:
As editor of the Spectator he suggested in 2001 that the agreement: "would exacerbate the recession, and when Bush says no, he is doing what is right not just for America but for the world."
This kind of diplodocus rhetoric from the mouth of a mayor would be unlikely to put London on a low emissions path.
Anyway will be blogging more about Boris...nothing like a bit of negative campaigning and here is the site for Sian Berry the Green candidate
I suppose Ken liked my McKinney and Stephen Fry endorsements and wants one too.
More seriously Ken when he ran and won as an independent clearly called for voters to back the Green Party...but now he is back in New Labour.
I don't agree with him on Ian Blair or on pigeons, I don't like the concept of an Oyster card....equally I can't think of any Green Party member who would vote Boris...and Ken is one of the few politicians I bump into on the tube every now and then.
Anyway it is for my Party to decide!
15 comments:
I'm from the USA. When are your elections held?
May 1st for London Mayor on a 4 year cycle...for parliament (commons) it isn't fixed..could be 2009
and not having total go beyond feudalism the head of state (Mrs Windsor) and the House of Lords are unelected!
Well, whjat are the implications for the party if we are seen to back a more "realistic" candidate.
Can we be critical and distinctive enough to get our point across and risk diluting that message with a position that may or may not have much impact on the result anyway.
At the end of the day I agree with Toff's point that if Ken loses it will be his responsibility not ours - he's been mayor for god knows how long not us - but that doesn't mean we should wish johnson on ourselves either (not that I think that will happen)
The latest news on BJ is the tory is "too tired to cycle".
Why or how should one speculate on Ken's position or even the Daily-Mail-group London evening paper's position? This Andy's "myth" claim is unsourced. The bomb hoax plot turned out to be untrue too but that didn't stop the police from blockading the construction of our eco-loos, and generally causing chaos at Heathrow.
Maybe if his Ken ness had appeared on the BAA blockades things would have been rosy-er for all.
Yes a visit to the camp by Ken would have been good already, no doubt about John McDonnell's commitment for example.
Why should a Green voter suport Livingstone who set off fireworks for 11 minutes at cost of £1.3 million over the River Thames at New Year? He had no thought of the carbon footprint or the river wildlife - birds, fishes etc.
Derek, it's a bit of an understatement to say Boris Johnson is a bit ungreen.
He supported George W Bush's opposition to Kyoto. (He also backed Bush's election and re-election). He is an 'evangelist' for nuclear power and has derided renewables such as wind power.
He opposed the introduction of the congestion charge and opposes amending it to charge 4x4s and other Band G cars £25 to enter central London.
On these points alone there is such a clear divide that it is not simply a question of 'imagining' that Ken will get the second pref endorsement of Greens. If Greens really are green they will be campaigning hard to ensure that Ken is elected and Johnson is defeated because Johnson's victory would in the real world significantly set back policies to protect the planet and tackle climate change.
If Greens refuse to see the importance of this matter and campaign around it then they are just cutting themselves out of the real debate that will take place in the election.
Thanks Vote Ken....Don't worry I will be blogging about Boris!
Still think Ken could be in trouble, irrespective of the Green Party, because of his connection with Gordon Brown.
For years people have been saying Ken and Gordon Brown are so at odds that it is damaging. Now you are concerned they are too connected.
Neither of these is the point. The point is to re-elect Ken Livngstone because the interests of Londoners are directly affected by whether he is elected or not. Including all those who wish to protect the environment.
To take one example, if we want to see the congestion charge transformed to charge according to C02 emissions then electing Ken is a prerequisite.
Ken will probably be booted out by an electorate heartily sick of London's disfunctional and hugely expensive tube system and its unreliable buses. London is not a friendly city for cyclists or pedestrians, and Transport for London is a mediocre institution stuffed full of Ken's cronies on fat allowances. Ken has also given his support to London Labour councils as they privatize public space. The Green Party would be crazy to give him any kind of endorsement.
London has grossly inadequate cycle parking. So if Ken is an environmentalist why is he supporting this legislation? “New rules which allow councils to remove ‘items’ that cause blockages in their local authority mean that parked bicycles could be forcibly removed from fences, lamp posts or railings.” See the London Cycling Campaign website:
http://www.lcc.org.uk//index.asp?PageID=1055
I thought greens were supposed to like encouraging public transport.
So why are you criticising the oyster card which is, at last, the start of integrated smartcard ticketing in Britain?
I think if we're serious about making ties on the Progressive left we shjould make quite a big thing of asking voters to second preference Ken. That way we could perhaps get a few Pro Ken anti new labour votes to come our way for the council seats
As a Green Party member I might certainly be voting for Boris over Ken. Whilst LSE Young Greens might be dominating this board (Aled Fisher?) many of the rest of us will be taking a more time to consider our preferences.
Anon (the previous one) I don't believe you're a green, simple as that.
No one who puts the environment and social justice anywhere near the top of their agenda will be voting for Johnson - not just because he's a Tory but because he's *Boris*Johnson* one of the least green MPs out there.
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