Comment: mayoral race: all to play for

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Today's ICM poll suggests the mayoral race is still wide open. In a survey commissioned by The Guardian newspaper, Conservative challenger Boris Johnson appears just one point ahead of Mr Livingstone at 42 per cent in the first round and at 51 per cent to Mr Livingstone's 49 per cent when second preferences are counted. This compares to a 10-point first round lead for Mr Johnson in this newspaper's most recent poll. Both surveys confirm that Mr Johnson has established himself firmly as a credible challenger for the top job in London.

He has a clear lead on crime, with 42 per cent of voters thinking he will do most to reduce it compared to 34 per cent for the Mayor. Today's pledge from the Conservative challenger to ban drinking alcohol on the Tube, by changing London Underground's rulebook, would, if enforced, make getting home late a lot less frightening. On transport, however, Mr Livingstone leads strongly, as he does on green issues.

One question that will continue to concern voters in the weeks until 1 May is that of the Mayor's character. The ICM data suggests that the public is concerned about the police investigations into organisations linked to Mr Livingstone's friend Lee Jasper, who has resigned as his race adviser, and probes into the £3.3 million in grants involved. Only 28 per cent of voters think Mr Livingstone is the most honest candidate, as opposed to 38 per cent for Mr Johnson. That reputation for slipperiness is one of the negatives Mr Livingstone has so far been unable to dispel in the campaign. Certainly the evidence we report today that Mr Livingstone ignored his own policy of promoting affordable homes when he backed a project in Victoria raises questions about his consistency.

But Mr Johnson will also be aware that a weaker showing among female voters and ethnic minorities in the capital could be an Achilles heel. That means the Conservative candidate needs to use the final stages of the campaign to drive home his credentials as a man who can speak for all London.

Voters have responded to an energetic challenge which has offered fresh thinking and new ideas instead of the gaffes that were expected. London now has an exciting and closely-fought race to look forward to as the candidates hone their arguments for the vital closing stages. This contest is wide open - and it is set to get fiercer.