2nd time unlucky? Johnson eyes return
Friday 10 September 2010
Printable
EmailLondon Mayor Boris Johnson has confirmed he will be seeking re-election for a second term.
The former Tory MP said he wanted to stay on beyond May 2012 because he had "more to do" improving the capital and overseeing the Olympics.
Labour is set to decide whether former mayor Ken Livingstone or ex-MP Oona King will be its candidate for the post later this month.
Mr Livingstone urged voters to punish Mr Johnson for the coalition's assault on public spending and welcomed his re-election bid "because he now has a record that means he can be held to account.
"Johnson cannot escape the fact that he has pioneered huge cuts in London and he vigorously campaigned for his Tory colleagues to win the general election, knowing full well the economic policy they would deliver and the damage they would do to policing and transport.
"The government's cuts are his cuts."
Mr Johnson is set to be officially endorsed as the Tory candidate next month.
If you have enjoyed this article then please consider donating to the Morning Star's Fighting Fund to ensure we can keep publishing your paper.
Editorial
Delay rather than resistance
Party political manoeuvring between the Greek social-democratic, conservative and fascist parties has delayed acceptance of the blackmail demands presented by the troika of European Union, International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank.
Features
An imperial adventure set to continue
The growing intervention in Syrian internal affairs demonstrates the West's blatant attempt to rally reactionary Arab forces in support of its continued domination of the region, says George Galloway
All prawn and no brains...
Jacqui Smith's bizarre call to get schmoozing with the City