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Ken's in Heaven as he campaigns for the pink vote
Katharine Barney, Evening Standard17.04.08
Ken Livingstone meets a potential supporter at Heaven nightclub as he campaigns in the West End.
The Mayor gave a rousing speech to members of the gay community at the venue near Charing Cross Station last night. He also visited bars and pubs in Soho during the walkabout.
A spokeswoman for Mr Livingstone's campaign said: "As usual, Ken was warmly welcomed in Soho as he has always done a great deal to promote the causes and interests of the gay community in the city, particularly with the introduction of the first civil partnerships three years ago."
However, he faces a tough challenge for the gay vote from Brian Paddick after a poll by website PinkNews showed that although Mr Livingstone won the most first-preference votes, the Lib-Dem - and openly gay - candidate overtook him with the crucial second-preference vote.
Reader views (18)
I was in Soho and saw Ken's walkabout - he was greeted like a film star with loads of people, gay and straight, wanting to shake his hand. The fact is that Boris Johnson has frequently shared a platform with deep-seated homophobes - that's himself and all the other Tories who supported Section 28 or like Boris who calls gay vicars "pulpit poofs". Anyone gay voting for him need their head examined.
- Liam, Lewisham
Ken is in touch with the ordinary man in the street. He has worked hard for Londoners since the times of the GLC and the killed-off Fares Fair Scheme of the 70's. He has survived vilification and mockery by the media whilst others similarly treated have sunk into oblivion.
Although not a Lodoner now, I spent the first 50 years of my life there and saw the effect of his presence. Were I still there now I would surely vote for him.
- David Bolton, Clacton on Sea (Former Londoner)
2 terms of office are enough for any man. Power corrupts and there are no exceptions to this. Look at the mess the UK is in.
- Frederick, London
What's next?
Druggies and hoodies for Ken?
Only voters with previous criminal convictions (other than motoring offences of course)?
Desperate attempts by a truly desperate man, who is well past his sell-by date.
- Weddigen, London SW
What kind of idiot would fall that kiss-ass!? Jesus. Next he'll be giving away tax payers money to illegal immigrants to get the vote of the only people who turn up on voting day - those who aren't busy working!
- Joe, London
Up to now he's been supported by the bombers now he's supported by the bummers.
- Chisholm, London
Quite right, the gays etc have a vote like anyone else. I think the point though is that Red Ken is cynically trawling for their votes - even more than politicians normally do from interest groups. Ken is reaching out to every fringe grouping he can to rake in support.
What is he offering them in exchange this time, I wonder? They already have more legal protections than heterosexuals - so - what could it be?
- Rogan, DFW Texas
What a crock !
Ken is clearly prepared to do anything to get elected - all this 'interest' will be short lived.
I don't believe for one moment that the Mayor has the slightest interest in anything other than being re-elected.
Hopefully voters will see through this blatant 'vote catching' activity and make the 'correct and socially sound decision' for Londoners - All Londoners.
- Padraigh Turlough, Crystal Palace
Londoners need a better person than Ken Livingstone, time to vote for the right person, not Ken Livingstone.
- P., Leics
I was at Heaven last night and it was great to meet a political candidate reach out to clubbers ( & am not a Labour member). He spoke movingly about the introduction of Civil Partnerships - an issue he led the country on and was vilified by the likes of Boris ("black people = picaninnies with water melon smiles") Johnston.
Ken speaks to the whole of London and tries to bring communities together. Ken encourages dialogue between faiths, communities and above all people.
I am sure the Muslims 4 Ken know all about Ken's 30 year "liaison" with the gay community when he fought against Clause 28, and the Tory bigotry of the 80's.
Ken rocks, he has my vote!
- Eamon Joe, London
Qaradawi has in fact explicitly opposed repression of homosexuals. In the Channel 4 News interview in July, when he was asked about his own view of Islam’s attitude towards homosexuality, he replied: ‘It is sufficient for a Muslim to object to it verbally or at least within his conscience. We are not required by our faith to declare a war against homosexuality and homosexuals."
- Dr Susan Porter, London
How is that going to stack up against his Muslim terrorist friends?
I do not think I want to be any where near any political rallies his mob organises.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
I'm sure Ken's mate Al-Qaddawri wouldn't be too happy with him courting the gay vote.
- Simon, Harrow, UK
And so what? Gays and lesbian are voters like others, aren't they? Where is the problem? They are adult enough to vote for the people who represent them.
- Annelaure, Geneva, Switzerland
How does Ken balance that with his allies who advocate the death sentence for homosexuality in particular Al Qaradawi who says homosexuals should be thrown off cliffs? I think that Red Ken will forever be tarred with the brush of the homophobes he fêtes.
- Ice, Wales
Wasting his time. Paddick will get their vote.
- Db, London
I was walking through Charing Cross last night and saw hundreds of gay men screaming in terror, now I know why.
- P Lonker, Morden
Yeah right... before long he'll be calling you Nazi's and concentration guards.
Living Stone by name and Living Stone by nature. The Stone that will take you to the bottom of the depths.
- Alec, West London
