despite being a liberal have always liked boris johnsons personality and cheerfully character....but after watching question time last thursday and listening to his interview with simon mayo the week before,i have doubts if he is fit to be the mayor of a city the capacity of london,with its crime problems and oylmpics coming up in 2012...
what your take guys is he mature enough to run london?
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Is Boris Johnson fit for london mayor
If you had asked me 'Is Red Ken fit to be Mayor?'
I would have said 'No', and yet he has not made a complete hash up, has he. At least he did not invade Kent. If I was voting I would probably go for Ken.
Only those close to a person can really judge how well they will do a job. That is the trouble with democracy on a large scale. The populace have no idea who they are voting for, until it is to late.
Travis
I would have said 'No', and yet he has not made a complete hash up, has he. At least he did not invade Kent. If I was voting I would probably go for Ken.
Only those close to a person can really judge how well they will do a job. That is the trouble with democracy on a large scale. The populace have no idea who they are voting for, until it is to late.
Travis
I didn't see the interview unfortunately but my guess is that he is right for Mayor of London. There is certainly a serious and deeply passionate side to Boris that perhaps doesn't come across too well.
I don't think of him being slimy and greasy like the present incumbent and there is no-one else in the running realistically.
When I think of Livingstone, I can't but help thinking of dear old Arfur Scargill (where is he these days anyway?).
I don't think of him being slimy and greasy like the present incumbent and there is no-one else in the running realistically.
When I think of Livingstone, I can't but help thinking of dear old Arfur Scargill (where is he these days anyway?).
Quote by
If you had asked me 'Is Red Ken fit to be Mayor?'
I would have said 'No', and yet he has not made a complete hash up, has he. At least he did not invade Kent. If I was voting I would probably go for Ken.
Only those close to a person can really judge how well they will do a job. That is the trouble with democracy on a large scale. The populace have no idea who they are voting for, until it is to late.
Travis
That made me chuckle, thanks
H.x
Sex God
I saw the interview, and my feelings are similar to yours Phuckers. I like Boris I think he's very funny, and despite appearances he is also very intelligent. However his bumbling upper class twit act does get in the way of taking him seriously, but the interview also highlighted a slightly facist side to him too.
Ken on the other hand gets my vote. He has the knowledge and the experience, and comes up with new and innovative ideas to improve the lot of Londoners. He is a serious politician, and he's a committed socialist which means he actually cares about people and peoples' rights.
I know having leftist views are no longer fashionable, thanks to New Labour, but ken shows what positive things can be done taking those ideals as a starting point.
Ken on the other hand gets my vote. He has the knowledge and the experience, and comes up with new and innovative ideas to improve the lot of Londoners. He is a serious politician, and he's a committed socialist which means he actually cares about people and peoples' rights.
I know having leftist views are no longer fashionable, thanks to New Labour, but ken shows what positive things can be done taking those ideals as a starting point.
not sure who to vote for yet, but it wont be ken, we own a farm in kent, and as such drive a range rover, we also live in london (but are based in kent) so everytime we want to drive to london we are going to have to pay £25!!!!!!! Sod off!
Boris johnson may come across as an upper class twit of the year, but he does have enourmous intellegence, its unfortunate that the british media only portray the bumbling idiot side, not the other.
As for the other guy, (whats his name?) exactly!!!!!!
Boris johnson may come across as an upper class twit of the year, but he does have enourmous intellegence, its unfortunate that the british media only portray the bumbling idiot side, not the other.
As for the other guy, (whats his name?) exactly!!!!!!
Quote by de_sade
Red Ken all the way for me too.
Proven track record. No bullshit approach to most things...
Vote Ken.
I will never vote for Kenny boy. A car hater all cos he failed his test years ago.
Seriously I feel he has had his time and someone else deserves the challenge. I have never liked Ken, I remember him as leader of the GLC, until he was booted out. I do not like him as a person or as was the main instigator of getting the olympics, which we cannot afford and for which we will all be paying for for years to come, for two weeks of entertainment. I feel that kind of money could have been spent so much more wisely for London, than the bloody olympics. It was just about serving ken and Lord Coes egos. :shock:
As for Boris...well a bit of a clown if honest but he seems decent enough. Still you never know with politicians as they can all say one thing and do another. But it will be Boris the clown for me. :lol:
Sex God
I really never got why we needed a Mayor of London. Just more jobs for the boys methinks. Yet more bureaucracy and more expense accounts on fact finding tours to see how well 'New York' has done to alleviate the problems of static shock syndrome from nylon carpets or similar. I thought it was a cool move to get rid of the GLC in the first place
And the Olympics is more than just sport its about Urban regeneration for London Kent, you should know that.
For goodness sake people all over the rest of the country are just aching to get a place they are possibly never going to see or use in their entire lives. Digging deep into their pockets to support this. I mean who wouldn't want it I wonder.
But its going to be ok because the lottery fund may provide enough cash for the local Girls Brigade to hire a hall once a week somewhere oop North. Only for this year though mind.
And the Olympics is more than just sport its about Urban regeneration for London Kent, you should know that.
For goodness sake people all over the rest of the country are just aching to get a place they are possibly never going to see or use in their entire lives. Digging deep into their pockets to support this. I mean who wouldn't want it I wonder.
But its going to be ok because the lottery fund may provide enough cash for the local Girls Brigade to hire a hall once a week somewhere oop North. Only for this year though mind.
Warming the Bed
Please excuse the number of spelling mistakes that are bound to be below.
I was lucky enough to hear Ken speak at the opening of London college. I love his vision, of everyone being given the support they need to succeed, so that in turn they can then enjoy the benefits of their hard work and support others in need to achieve the same.
I just love it, it's so caring and positive.
I love a lot of things Ken has done for the environment - deeply unpopular and risky moves but which are ultimately for the good of everyone. As i walk around london, i keep seeing posters advertising exciting innovations, then i see the little Mayor of London logo. Top work.
Boris, on the other hand, has hashed some policies together last minute, which are largely responsive to Ken rather than innovative in their own right.
On a personal level, Boris does have a certain inane charm. But, as others have already noted, he's intrinsincly racist (he referred to black people as 'picaninnies' 'with watermelon smiles' - Daily Telegraph, 10/01/02) and has no real attachment to London.
So, personally i could never support Boris. Nor do i want him representing me to other major cities. Good god no.
Watch this video, it's quite long but the i think worth it. The guy gives example of Boris calling mariennes a "master race" in comparison to Iraqies and saying there is no reason to respect people (specifically, the aged) from different cultures to corcasion English.
Yay Ken !
Trix xx
I was lucky enough to hear Ken speak at the opening of London college. I love his vision, of everyone being given the support they need to succeed, so that in turn they can then enjoy the benefits of their hard work and support others in need to achieve the same.
I just love it, it's so caring and positive.
I love a lot of things Ken has done for the environment - deeply unpopular and risky moves but which are ultimately for the good of everyone. As i walk around london, i keep seeing posters advertising exciting innovations, then i see the little Mayor of London logo. Top work.
Boris, on the other hand, has hashed some policies together last minute, which are largely responsive to Ken rather than innovative in their own right.
On a personal level, Boris does have a certain inane charm. But, as others have already noted, he's intrinsincly racist (he referred to black people as 'picaninnies' 'with watermelon smiles' - Daily Telegraph, 10/01/02) and has no real attachment to London.
So, personally i could never support Boris. Nor do i want him representing me to other major cities. Good god no.
Watch this video, it's quite long but the i think worth it. The guy gives example of Boris calling mariennes a "master race" in comparison to Iraqies and saying there is no reason to respect people (specifically, the aged) from different cultures to corcasion English.
Yay Ken !
Trix xx
I get the impression that Boris is just a glory hunter.
He never around when anything important need his vote, I seem to vaguely remember he has been sacked from a fair number of posts
Is being a Mayor a last ditched attempt to make a name for himself?
If I was gonna vote it would be for Red Ken!
But I hate the :fuckinghell: for the closing of the Blackwall Tunnel contraflow
I'm sure there will be a congestion charge in the area now that they've choked it with traffic deliberately!
He never around when anything important need his vote, I seem to vaguely remember he has been sacked from a fair number of posts
Is being a Mayor a last ditched attempt to make a name for himself?
If I was gonna vote it would be for Red Ken!
But I hate the :fuckinghell: for the closing of the Blackwall Tunnel contraflow
I'm sure there will be a congestion charge in the area now that they've choked it with traffic deliberately!
Quote by Lost
I really never got why we needed a Mayor of London. Just more jobs for the boys methinks. Yet more bureaucracy and more expense accounts on fact finding tours to see how well 'New York' has done to alleviate the problems of static shock syndrome from nylon carpets or similar. I thought it was a cool move to get rid of the GLC in the first place
And the Olympics is more than just sport its about Urban regeneration for London Kent, you should know that.
For goodness sake people all over the rest of the country are just aching to get a place they are possibly never going to see or use in their entire lives. Digging deep into their pockets to support this. I mean who wouldn't want it I wonder.
But its going to be ok because the lottery fund may provide enough cash for the local Girls Brigade to hire a hall once a week somewhere oop North. Only for this year though mind.
The site of the olympics has needed regeneration for years and years. Had it not been for winning the olympics that area would remain a slum. Its housing there is and has been dire since before the war. :shock:
They then win the olympic vote by default and then say we are going to regenerate the area. The only people who will be able to afford to live round there after the olympics, will be wealthy people, no matter what they might say otherwise. The people who have been forced to move from their homes will never get a chance to go back. Still I am now hijacking the thread.
Remember what they used to call Ken? Red ken as in all tense and purposes he is a secret communist. Thatcher had the measure of him, she naffed him off out of it, but bad smells have a habit of coming back. :shock:
Boris is not a lot better but he generates more of a smile from me, as he seems like a jolly bumbling clown, but without the makeup. :shock:
Quote by kentswingers777
The site of the olympics has needed regeneration for years and years. Had it not been for winning the olympics that area would remain a slum. Its housing there is and has been dire since before the war. :shock:
They then win the olympic vote by default and then say we are going to regenerate the area. The only people who will be able to afford to live round there after the olympics, will be wealthy people, no matter what they might say otherwise. The people who have been forced to move from their homes will never get a chance to go back. Still I am now hijacking the thread.
Remember what they used to call Ken? Red ken as in all tense and purposes he is a secret communist. Thatcher had the measure of him, she naffed him off out of it, but bad smells have a habit of coming back. :shock:
Boris is not a lot better but he generates more of a smile from me, as he seems like a jolly bumbling clown, but without the makeup. :shock:
Surely the whole point is that without the Olympics there would not be any money available to regenerate the area.
My God I'm seriously worried now. People are prepared to put a bumbling clown in charge of 1 of the most powerful political arenas in the country and give him the chance to command the huge budget this entails. I would much prefer a dedicated but serious politician even if he is a socialist shock horror, than an idiot who I have yet to hear utter a coherent sentence. Socialist and communist do not mean the same thing btw
Quote by buckingfabe
The site of the olympics has needed regeneration for years and years. Had it not been for winning the olympics that area would remain a slum. Its housing there is and has been dire since before the war. :shock:
They then win the olympic vote by default and then say we are going to regenerate the area. The only people who will be able to afford to live round there after the olympics, will be wealthy people, no matter what they might say otherwise. The people who have been forced to move from their homes will never get a chance to go back. Still I am now hijacking the thread.
Remember what they used to call Ken? Red ken as in all tense and purposes he is a secret communist. Thatcher had the measure of him, she naffed him off out of it, but bad smells have a habit of coming back. :shock:
Boris is not a lot better but he generates more of a smile from me, as he seems like a jolly bumbling clown, but without the makeup. :shock:
Surely the whole point is that without the Olympics there would not be any money available to regenerate the area.
My God I'm seriously worried now. People are prepared to put a bumbling clown in charge of 1 of the most powerful political arenas in the country and give him the chance to command the huge budget this entails. I would much prefer a dedicated but serious politician even if he is a socialist shock horror, than an idiot who I have yet to hear utter a coherent sentence. Socialist and communist do not mean the same thing btw
If there was no money for regeneration to start with, where the heck is the 12 billion plus coming from now? :shock: The taxpayers!
This is from an artical I read today which to me sums things up rather nicely.
" Speaking outside City Hall this morning, Chris Grayling launched The Case Against Ken Livingstone:
"Londoners are fed up with Ken Livingstone who has become tired, stale and mired in maladministration. On 1st May they have the chance to vote for change with Boris Johnson.
"The Case Against Ken Livingstone is his record as Mayor, his failure to deliver value for money and practice open government for London. It lays bare the scale of abuses that have taken place in City Hall over the past eight years.
"Ken Livingstone has been astonishingly complacent about crime in London, and his comments about his achievements have been downright misleading. The crimes that do most to undermine the reputation of a City like London - robbery, gun crime and violent crime have all increased on his watch.
"On our tubes, crimes of public disorder, criminal damage and sexual assaults are rising rapidly.
"On our buses the number of assaults was up ten per cent in the most recent figures.
"On affordable housing the Mayor makes grandiose claims about his achievements and makes big claims but the proportion of affordable housing in new developments in London is actually lower than it was before he became Mayor.
"Labour's Mayor, Ken Livingstone, has spent vast amounts of money on building up a personal support structure for the Mayor which would do the dictator of a banana republic proud.
"At this election Londoners have a clear choice; they can either vote for change by voting for Boris who will get on fixing crime, taxes, transport, congestion, housing and planning - or they can vote for the same from a tired Mayor who is an arrogant, out-of-touch politician who will revert to form the day after he is elected. Imagine another 4 years of it.
"Boris Johnson and the Conservative Party represent the fresh start that the people who live and work in London all need."
I feel sorry if you own a 4x4 and want to tavel in London...25 quid? Now that is taking the mick.
I don't think much of any of the candidates but on the day I will probably vote for Boris - he can't be any worse than Ken.
One thing that really pisses me of is why those of us that live inside the congestion zone should have to pay to use our cars in our local area. Residents supposedly get a 90% discount on the charge, however the minimum period you can pay for is 1 week, therefore using my car on just 1 chargeable day costs me £4 - only a discount of 50%, cheers Ken.
One thing that really pisses me of is why those of us that live inside the congestion zone should have to pay to use our cars in our local area. Residents supposedly get a 90% discount on the charge, however the minimum period you can pay for is 1 week, therefore using my car on just 1 chargeable day costs me £4 - only a discount of 50%, cheers Ken.
Sex God
Quote by kentduo
not sure who to vote for yet, but it wont be ken, we own a farm in kent, and as such drive a range rover, we also live in london (but are based in kent) so everytime we want to drive to london we are going to have to pay £25!!!!!!! Sod off!
Boris johnson may come across as an upper class twit of the year, but he does have enourmous intellegence, its unfortunate that the british media only portray the bumbling idiot side, not the other.
As for the other guy, (whats his name?) exactly!!!!!!
it is a shame you don't know "the other guy" because brain paddick is the one who has impressed me most in the debates......
and if law and order is one of the top priorities, wouldn't it make sense to have one of the former top policemen in the met at the helm????
Warming the Bed
Quote by benrums0n
Strikes me as a bit of a fool does our Boris. How such an inarticulate man can become a politician is beyond me.
Its a mistake to mistake education and deportment for intelligence.
I totally agree, as does Arnie (see link)!!! lol
trix xx
Warming the Bed
Quote by flower411
Hi ...I`ve watched and listened to the youtube link .
It`s unfortunate that the highly disparaging things that I`ve heard Boris say about caucasian residents in Britain have been omitted.
If you pick and choose the comments that a person makes about minorities and omit the comments made about about people of the same racial background .....you reveal yourself as a manipulative racist.
Luckily, I think that most people can see through this kind of reactionary armchair racism that appears to be prevalent on internet sights lately.
Hiyfa Flower, thanks for writing back.
Because it would get us off topic in this thread, I dont think i can follow up your point in the final paragraph on this thread
.But i think ur right, why miss out the thoroughly offensive things that Boris has said about white people too ?
For example, when Billy Connely made a joke about Liverpudlian, Ken Bigley - who was held captive in Iraq before being murdered by the terrorist group who kidnapped him. Liverpool publicly supported the Bigley family against Connely's jibe and then Boris waded in labeling the whole community as "moaning whingers". Nice touch Boris, sensitive. The outcry was so extensive he was made to travel to Liverpool to apologise.
What a prick.
Trix xx
Quote by Trixie_female
Hi ...I`ve watched and listened to the youtube link .
It`s unfortunate that the highly disparaging things that I`ve heard Boris say about caucasian residents in Britain have been omitted.
If you pick and choose the comments that a person makes about minorities and omit the comments made about about people of the same racial background .....you reveal yourself as a manipulative racist.
Luckily, I think that most people can see through this kind of reactionary armchair racism that appears to be prevalent on internet sights lately.
Hiyfa Flower, thanks for writing back.
Because it would get us off topic in this thread, I dont think i can follow up your point in the final paragraph on this thread
.But i think ur right, why miss out the thoroughly offensive things that Boris has said about white people too ?
For example, when Billy Connely made a joke about Liverpudlian, Ken Bigley - who was held captive in Iraq before being murdered by the terrorist group who kidnapped him. Liverpool publicly supported the Bigley family against Connely's jibe and then Boris waded in labeling the whole community as "moaning whingers". Nice touch Boris, sensitive. The outcry was so extensive he was made to travel to Liverpool to apologise.
What a prick.
Trix xx
Yes indeedy....but a jolly prick!
Sex God
Thanks for the link JTS.
However I think it highlights another problem with the Boris issue. I like Boris as do many people throughout the land, but we are all responding to the popular image of Boris (providing you ignore his controversial views). So the idea that the Boris in the mayoral race is the real, serious, and capable Boris, begs a couple of questions;
– Who is it that the general public have warmed to in all the years?
– Is this the real Boris, or is the other Boris real?
– How do we know?
– Which one do we prefer?
– Which one do we trust?
– Is there another Boris?
– When he says something which Boris are we listening to?
If I was a Londoner I'd be very worried.
However I think it highlights another problem with the Boris issue. I like Boris as do many people throughout the land, but we are all responding to the popular image of Boris (providing you ignore his controversial views). So the idea that the Boris in the mayoral race is the real, serious, and capable Boris, begs a couple of questions;
– Who is it that the general public have warmed to in all the years?
– Is this the real Boris, or is the other Boris real?
– How do we know?
– Which one do we prefer?
– Which one do we trust?
– Is there another Boris?
– When he says something which Boris are we listening to?
If I was a Londoner I'd be very worried.
Casanova
Quote by Bassman
I don't think much of any of the candidates but on the day I will probably vote for Boris - he can't be any worse than Ken.
One thing that really pisses me of is why those of us that live inside the congestion zone should have to pay to use our cars in our local area. Residents supposedly get a 90% discount on the charge, however the minimum period you can pay for is 1 week, therefore using my car on just 1 chargeable day costs me £4 - only a discount of 50%, cheers Ken.
Bassman - you know we often have discussions about how we often dont agree on things - and here is another one
You know my views on the congestion charge and yes I know all about the 4 wheel drive stuff etc etc etc - but my view is that there are lots more important issues to tackle and discuss than the cost of the congestion charge. Sadly though money comes into the forefront of many issues - before peoples lives in fact but thats life I guess.(bit like people embezzling money get longer jail sentences than those who etc - but thats another story altogether) I think I might run for Mayor of London next time :shock:
It is interesting to think how Boris may be as mayor, built upon his personality in the past. Do the same for Ken (I-hate-cars-if-I-ever-get-power-I'll-ban-the-lot).
Funny really, because it is a win-win situation for Ken.
If he loses the fight to remain mayor he will move back into main-stream politics in the labour party and carry-on as before.
If he wins the fight to remain mayor, he will move back into main-stream politics in a few years.
The person who wins (and if the vote is close the one with more second-choice votes may win....the lib/dem maybe) gets to be mayor of London. Lets see, lengthy contracts have been handed-out to companies already.....so the CC will remain for the future...so the winners hands are tied whoever wins...
There will be little, if any, change for at least a few years. During that time things will get worse for a non-Ken winner, and the election arrives soon after that few years....
Hands-up all those who remember the suddenly working traffic lights and the disappearing road works when the cc started operation ?
Say what you like about Mr K Livingstone, the guy is a long-range planner to beat all others. The only problem about him, a big one, is that all his long-range planning is about himself.
Funny really, because it is a win-win situation for Ken.
If he loses the fight to remain mayor he will move back into main-stream politics in the labour party and carry-on as before.
If he wins the fight to remain mayor, he will move back into main-stream politics in a few years.
The person who wins (and if the vote is close the one with more second-choice votes may win....the lib/dem maybe) gets to be mayor of London. Lets see, lengthy contracts have been handed-out to companies already.....so the CC will remain for the future...so the winners hands are tied whoever wins...
There will be little, if any, change for at least a few years. During that time things will get worse for a non-Ken winner, and the election arrives soon after that few years....
Hands-up all those who remember the suddenly working traffic lights and the disappearing road works when the cc started operation ?
Say what you like about Mr K Livingstone, the guy is a long-range planner to beat all others. The only problem about him, a big one, is that all his long-range planning is about himself.
Quote by JTS
It is interesting to think how Boris may be as mayor, built upon his personality in the past. Do the same for Ken (I-hate-cars-if-I-ever-get-power-I'll-ban-the-lot).
Funny really, because it is a win-win situation for Ken.
If he loses the fight to remain mayor he will move back into main-stream politics in the labour party and carry-on as before.
If he wins the fight to remain mayor, he will move back into main-stream politics in a few years.
The person who wins (and if the vote is close the one with more second-choice votes may win....the lib/dem maybe) gets to be mayor of London. Lets see, lengthy contracts have been handed-out to companies already.....so the CC will remain for the future...so the winners hands are tied whoever wins...
There will be little, if any, change for at least a few years. During that time things will get worse for a non-Ken winner, and the election arrives soon after that few years....
Hands-up all those who remember the suddenly working traffic lights and the disappearing road works when the cc started operation ?
Say what you like about Mr K Livingstone, the guy is a long-range planner to beat all others. The only problem about him, a big one, is that all his long-range planning is about himself.
They are all after only one thing...self PR. At least if Kenny boy loses and does go back to mainstream politics, he will end up like that other twat, Galloway. Laughed at and ridiculed amongst his fellow peers, and then kicked out of Parliament by them. But importantly not a danger anymore, As Mayor Ken is a dangerous individual, people are too quick to forget his views when he was head of the GLC. Some animals never change their spots. :P
Warming the Bed
Quote by kentswingers777
If he loses the fight to remain mayor he will move back into main-stream politics in the labour party and carry-on as before.
They are all after only one thing...self PR. At least if Kenny boy loses and does go back to mainstream politics, he will end up like that other twat, Galloway.
Hiya, Ken has said that he sees being Mayor of London as his last job in polotics - his last chance to do what he can to help the underprivaliged. It doesnt sound like he will end up back in parliament if he doesnt win today .
I dont think that Livingstone and Galloway are comparable. Both are left wing and involved in politics but the similarities stop there ! But this is for a different thread ... ;)
Trix xx
Quote by Trixie_female
If he loses the fight to remain mayor he will move back into main-stream politics in the labour party and carry-on as before.
They are all after only one thing...self PR. At least if Kenny boy loses and does go back to mainstream politics, he will end up like that other twat, Galloway.
Hiya, Ken has said that he sees being Mayor of London as his last job in polotics - his last chance to do what he can to help the underprivaliged. It doesnt sound like he will end up back in parliament if he doesnt win today .
I dont think that Livingstone and Galloway are comparable. Both are left wing and involved in politics but the similarities stop there ! But this is for a different thread ... ;)
Trix xx
You could always start one.
Am sure I would have a few things to say about Galloway. :lol: x
i'd say compared to Ken, anyone is fit for the job - and if you ask his constituents, the general feeling is Boris is a wonderful MP.
I agree he doesn't always come across very well, just look at his appearances on have i got new for you over the years! but he definitely has the desire to make things work for the people rather than for the money men, so that has to be a good thing
i say give him a chance, he cant do any worse than Ken!!!!
I agree he doesn't always come across very well, just look at his appearances on have i got new for you over the years! but he definitely has the desire to make things work for the people rather than for the money men, so that has to be a good thing
i say give him a chance, he cant do any worse than Ken!!!!
