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Livingstone: Olympics must be a success so I can win a fourth term
By Ross Lydall, Evening Standard Last updated at 08:46am on 19.04.07
Ken Livingstone: bidding for a fourth term
Ken Livingstone has vowed to ensure the London Olympics are delivered on time to enable him to continue as Mayor until at least 2016.
He believes the best way of winning a fourth term in May 2012, assuming he is re-elected next year, is by making a success of the Olympic preparations.
Mr Livingstone made clear his enthusiasm for the job of Mayor, saying he works long hours because of the enjoyment it provides, and has no plans to retire. "I'm loving every minute of it and I would love to carry on until I drop," he said.
"I'm running for re-election next year and I would very much hope to run for re-election in
2012. This is a most wonderful job. It's absolutely brilliant to be Mayor of a great world city.
"When I was leader of the Greater London Council [in the Eighties] I was managing a city in decline. It's much more fun to be managing one that is growing." Addressing a London Chamber of Commerce meeting last night at City Hall, he added: "I have two elections - next May and May 2012. Once I get over next May I will start thinking about May 2012.
"I know bloody well if the Olympics isn't ready by May 2012 I won't get a fourth term. That is a real constraint on me."
Mr Livingstone, who will be 62 this year, joked that he would return to the after- dinner speech-making circuit when he left City Hall and "earn as much money as David Blunkett and Boris Johnson".
He complained that his £136,677 salary was inadequate and resulted in the Tories struggling to find a suitable candidate to challenge him next year.
Today he will attend a meeting of the Olympic board, which will focus on the legacy of the 2012 Games and the cost of the main 80,000-seat stadium.
Originally budgeted in London's bid at £280million, there have been reports saying that the contractors, led by McAlpine, put the cost nearer £630million. This has fuelled speculation that only one side of the stadium will have a roof.
Mr Livingstone, who mistakenly thought the stadium was being built by another bidder, Laing, said: "We are now negotiating with Laings about the exact form of the stadium, getting it down to a budget we can afford."
He admitted he only backed the Olympic bid because hosting the Games would regenerate a deprived part of east London. The Games will now cost in excess of £10 billion, more than three times original estimates.
"We didn't bid for the Olympic Games because I liked sport," he said. "I have never been to a sports event in my life. The nearest I get to sport is a rowdy Labour party conference."
Reader views (10)
Although he's made his mistakes I think that overall Ken has done well. Well done on the congestion charge - next step pedestrianise large sections of central London, please. As for Oyster cards - when will they roll out to overland lines in SE London?
- Mark, London
Ken has to go! And with his congestion tax, his blue oyster card, his council tax, his olympic games surcharge, his Fidel Castro legacy.
We need someone to get London moving again - we need to make London trendy again!
- Fredy, London
"We didn't bid for the Olympic Games because I liked sport," he said. "I have never been to a sports event in my life".
With an attitude like that how are we supposed to spur the nation to become fitter and more active? The games is supposed to be 'a catalyst for improving health and increasing sports participation'- lead by example Mr Livingston, or at least stick to the 2012 party line.
- Kate Mardel, London, UK
£136k should be enough, if he is working all these long hours he shouldn't need more, he hasn't the time to spend it. Anyway if it's so enjoyable shouldn't he pay us for the pleasure of doing it?
- Kim L., UK
How long did the Dinosaurs walk the earth last time around?
- Mike, London
Which goes to prove once again that Ken is living in cloud cuckoo land.
- Trevor Roll, London
With the congestion charge increasing 60% every couple years it should be up to GBP 83,88 daily by 2016. Any takers?
- Marianne, SW France
£136k is inadequate? You should try living in the real world, Ken.
- Nobby Clark, London, UK
All terms in parliament and local councils should be limited to two terms of four years.
- Brandon Thomas, London, UK
Good on Ken for showing such ambition to stay on as London Mayor until 2016!
Anyone want to hazard a guess as to how much the congestion charge will be by then?
- Steve R, London, UK
