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They said it - quotes from the mayoral campaign
2 May 2008Here are some quotes from the London Mayoral campaign.
"This is a dead tight election, too close to call, and every Londoner's vote will matter" - Ken Livingstone, the incumbent Mayor.
"Boris Johnson, born in New York, raised in Eton and MP for Oxfordshire, never did understand what it meant to be a Londoner" - Brian Paddick, the Liberal Democrat candidate.
"There is no more joy in heaven than a sinner repenteth - or whatever it is" - Boris Johnson, the Tory candidate on why he welcomes Ken Livingstone "nabbing" his policies.
"They need to drop Ken Livingstone into the Thames. We should be eating out on the terraces, pedestrianising and having fun. We should be opening until midnight. We shouldn't have these stupid restraints. It doesn't make sense" - Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay.
"I will be independent in the sense that I will speak up for London irrespective of whatever my party, or the party leadership, should dictate. Any mayor of London is going to have to bang the table with any government. I would gladly embarrass any government that is in power if it was in the interests of Londoners" - Boris Johnson.
"I am surprised that Boris Johnson is going to take advice on sport from Kate Hoey. I think the reason Tony Blair sacked her at the end of his first term was because she had been involved in the fiasco over Wembley" - Ken Livingstone, on the news that Ms Hoey, a Labour MP, had said she would be willing to take on the role of sports adviser if Johnson wins the mayoral election.
"I will be voting for my party and Labour candidates on Thursday. I am a Labour MP and I will be standing for Labour at the next election" - Kate Hoey.
"It is deplorable, regrettable and she should get behind Ken Livingstone" - Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn on Kate Hoey.
"I have never been arrogant. If someone attacks me, then I attack them. You have to be strong in politics otherwise you cannot function. But this whole arrogance thing is part of a systematic campaign by the London Assembly" - Ken Livingstone.
"Come on Ken, the whole of the North East is behind you" - N Aitchison, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in a letter to the Evening Standard.
Reader views (2)
What is Gordon Ramsay on about, if Ken had his way he would pedestrianise the whole of London and in case he hasn't noticed nearly everywhere is open until midnight or later. He is right about dropping him in the Thames though and perhaps Gordon would like to jump in after him. Doesn't it worry anyone that a serious and powerful job like the mayor of London never seems to attract one serious candidate!
- Richard Gerrard, New Malden UK, 02/05/2008 17:16
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I agree with Terry Pratchett on politics, all politicians should be jailed on election. It would save time later.
The trouble is that anyone that wants to stand for election is not the sort of person we want as our politicians.
- Garry, Surbiton. Surrey, 02/05/2008 15:25
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