Ken Livingstone to fight next mayoral election for Labour

The London Labour Party disclosed that it had endorsed the Mayor to stand for a third successive term next year.

It said it had approved his candidacy after consulting Labour members across the capital.

Mr Livingstone said: "I am grateful for this opportunity to once more build upon the positive agenda for London. I intend to be Mayor for all Londoners."

Labour said that the selection of Mr Livingstone contrasted with the Tories' "crisis" over their hunt for a mayoral candidate.

David Cameron has been rebuffed twice in the last fortnight as first Greg Dyke and then Sir John Major declined the opportunity to stand on a Conservative ticket.

Mr Livingstone, mayor of London since the directly-elected position was created in 2000, predicted a "straight fight" between himself and the Tories.

"There will be three key issues which every candidate must address in the mayoral election," he said.

"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.

"In this election there will 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.

"I will be defending the international openness which has helped London overtake New York as the world's most successful financial centre.

"That means showing no tolerance to any form of racism or intolerance, not only because it is socially just but because it is economically efficient.

"These will be the central areas of conflict with the Tories in London."

Mr Livingstone added that one of his major priorities would be to stop the far-right British National Party getting elected to the London Assembly.

"Racism will be the policy which the British National Party will use to try to win their first ever seats in the London Assembly," he said.

"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."