What do you think? Our readers' panel gives its views

BUSINESSMAN Charlie Mullins, 50, from Pimlico, has previously voted for Ken Livingstone but said he was leaning more and more towards Boris Johnson. The managing director of Pimlico Plumbers, a father-of-four, added: "My single biggest issue of concern is safety on the streets and that's what Boris was talking about more than anything." Mr Mullins also said he was worried about Mr Livingstone's attitude after two terms: "The fact that Ken took a glass of wine on stage seems typical of his arrogance and the fact he doesn't care what people might think. If he was in my company I wouldn't trust him to manage a broom."

FUND MANAGER Laura Wilson, 28, from Shepherd's Bush, said: "Boris had a lot of good ideas and would definitely get my vote at the moment. All his policies seemed to make sense but my main concern is he's an old school Tory. He might want to be the Conservative mayor, which I'm concerned won't work in a city as diverse as London." But she said Mr Livingstone "argued his policies well", adding: "I was unsure about Ken's £25 charge for gas-guzzlers but he gave more explanation of how he will reinvest the money for cyclists." Brian Paddick "came across as a bit wet behind the ears and I think he lacks a bigger vision for London outside his crime policies, but I was still fairly impressed".

PENSIONER Bridget Sam-Bailey, 71, from Lewisham, is a traditional Labour supporter but is worried Mr Livingstone has been in power too long. She said: "In an ideal world I would want to see another choice. Ken looks tired and anyone in power gets a bit lax or arrogant after a while.
I think it is time to hand over to someone else but I don't want that person to be Boris." She added: "I liked Brian Paddick a lot. He seemed very genuine and trustworthy. But what worries me is he has no experience and running London is a big job. You can say that his time as a genuine Londoner helps but I still think that experience of politics is invaluable."

STUDENT Will Barber, 22, from Islington, is unconvinced by the three major candidates but may use his second preference vote for Ken Livingstone. A politics student at the London School of Economics, Mr Barber said: "I was interested to see what Brian Paddick would say as I knew least about him. But he only seemed to speak about crime and to be honest as someone that's over 6ft I've never really had a problem. What does concern me is house prices - at the moment it looks like even after my degree I will have to live in Zones 3 or 4." He added: "The environment is important to me and I have been thinking about voting for [Green Party candidate] Sian Berry."

CHARITY WORKER Lynette Charles, 39, a mother-of-two from Willesden, is now leaning towards the Mayor. "Ken looked tired but he said he wanted more money to keep teenagers busy and off the streets at night. That impressed me," she said. "Boris had ideas but he just can't prove that he can do it. Paddick was the biggest surprise. He was convincing when he described how he has already run a major operation like policing. I didn't realise his record was so solid."

MEDIA WORKER Emma Priestley, 28, from Shepherd's Bush, said Mr Johnson still did not inspire confidence: "He showed a lot more knowledge about London than I expected but he relied too much on jokes. I can see why people might be carried away with his charisma but for the first time I was thinking seriously about Brian Paddick as a candidate. His plan for reducing crime [by chairing the Metropolitan Police Authority] is impressive. But none of the candidates apart from Ken seemed to communicate a proper vision for London."

POLITICAL PUNDIT Mark Gill, from Merton, believes Ken Livingstone is facing a battle of "style over substance" with Mr Johnson. The former pollster, who is a floating voter, said the Mayor gave a more sensible impression during the debate than Mr Johnson but must fight to beat his rival's "fun" image: "Everything that Boris says makes you think he would be really good to go out and party with, but you have to wonder if you would be left with a hangover you would regret."