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'Desperate' Ken plunders another Johnson policy
Katharine Barney21.04.08
The Mayor has admitted "stealing" another of Boris Johnson's policies - 24 hours after denouncing it.
Ken Livingstone said he thought a Mayor's Fund for London, through which business can donate money to charities such as victim support groups, was a good idea. Last week he attacked the scheme as "doomed to fail".
He said on Friday: "Boris Johnson's plan that our young people should have to depend on charitable handouts from the City of London for the investment they need is a throwback to Charles Dickens's 19th-century world and would be doomed to fail and disappoint them and the local community organisations who need support."
Yet by Saturday he had changed his mind, saying the idea would provide a "useful sum" but only if it was run by him. He added "I'll steal any good idea that Boris has got."
Mr Livingstone has been brazen about his willingness to take other candidates' policies. He has already adopted Mr Johnson's plan to make youths who misbehave on buses do community service and to give injured Army veterans free travel.
The U-turn came as Mr Johnson announced a line-up of advisers who would help run the fund including former Labour donor Sir Trevor Chinn, retired Goldman Sachs banker Richard Sharpe and ex-prison governor Ray Lewis
On the adoption of his policy Mr Johnson said: "I'm delighted to hear what I think even by his own standards is one of the most astonishing political U-turns.
"Anyone would think, Ken, you're absolutely desperate. It's the only act of theft in London that I condone."
Reader views (9)
So Red Ken, friend of Chavez & so far, mayor of London nicks a few ideas. At least it shows a degree of pragmatism. But not enough to stop me from voting for a gay ex cop!
- T Tyler, Ealing
Bibi Ken you are gone. London will not miss you: the city has become slow, unsafe and dour with you! My vote goes to Boris - London needs to become trendy and fun again!
- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London
Is Den admitting to election fraud? I can't say which way all my family will vote, but I hope they won't embarrass London by giving Boris the job. He's okay on Have I got news for you, but that's about it.
- Michael, London
Ken we know that you follow the Hillary Clinton school of politics, wildly exaggerating your achievements. We also know that you have never underestimated the challenge of Boris Johnson, deep down you knew what a brilliant and formidable opponent he would be.
Now that he is still leading you in the polls, albeit by a narrow margin, in spite of everything you have thrown at him, in spite of all the smears and jeers that he has resolutely refused to hurl back, what is there left for you to do but pinch his ideas, what is there left for you but to try to be Boris? And that you will never be, Ken because there is only one Boris Johnson!
- Angela King., London
Can you imagine having a "thief" as a mayor of London?
Come on Ken, fold up your tent and give up. Londoners do not need you!
- V Tan, London
Bored now all family have sent in postal votes today, 8 nil to Boris.
- Den, London
So the Mayor is relying on his rivals for ideas is he?!
Come on Ken! You've had 8 years and still haven't managed to do much for London ... other than destroy it for families, businesses .. I could go on ..
I think this just proves to Londoners that Boris has the ideas and means to make them happen.
Livingston has had his day.
- Emma Lack, London UK
'If I believed what I read in the papers I wouldn't vote for myself'
Ken Livingstone
By large it is true. If it were not, Livingston would have sued by now at tax payers expense.
The only one truth that has come out, is you have admitted to stealing Boris's idea for a second time.
Put your money where your mouth is Livingston, but then again, you have no integrity and lied, lied and lied throughout your term and career.
- Asw, Hong Kong
Keep dithering, Ken.
- Robert Cunningham, Harrow, London, UK
