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Sir Alan Sugar lined up to keep out Ken Livingstone
Pippa Crerar, Political Correspondent24.06.08
Labour insiders have moved to kill off any prospect of Ken Livingstone making a comeback with a search for a new mayoral candidate.
One name circulating in Labour circles is businessman and host of The Apprentice, Sir Alan Sugar.
Sir Alan, who has grown close to Gordon Brown, is one name being touted by Labour strategists who are said to be interested in recruiting a senior businessman for the race in four years' time.
No formal approach has yet been made to Sir Alan, who this weekend said he was unaware of the interest.
However, the fact that Labour is prepared to consider a candidate other than Mr Livingstone will be seen by some as a snub to the former mayor and an indication that elements within the party want to move on from him.
Mr Livingstone has made no secret of his desire to return to front-line London politics since he was ousted from power last month.
This weekend he said: "I think Sean Connery had it right: never say never again.
"What I said when I was asked this during the election is still valid - I'm not going to think about that until it comes to 2010 and the Labour party calls for nominations ... My entire adult life has been London politics and I find it fascinating to see how someone else is doing this job."
Mr Livingstone's interest in the candidacy after he was beaten by Mr Johnson at the polls has unsettled many senior Labour figures.
They are aware that he could still run as an independent, as he did in 2000 inflicting a humiliating defeat on Frank Dobson, Tony Blair's chosen candidate.
The former mayor still has a degree of support among London party members, many of whom would welcome his return to City Hall.
The London Assembly's Labour group is understood to be split between those who would like to see him back and those who feel his time has passed. One party source said: "When Ken was at his best he was brilliant but too many Londoners saw him as tired and dated in the race against Johnson. We should be looking for someone who will take the party forward in the capital."
Sir Alan, understood to be a favourite of Gordon Brown, is only two years younger than 63-year-old Mr Livingstone. However, a Labour source told the News of the World: "Sir Alan's the ideal candidate ... People are crying out for business leaders to take on this sort of role. But we'll have to work on Sir Alan, and convince him to start preparing for the 2012 election."
A spokesman for Sir Alan, a lifelong Labour supporter, said he was unaware of the plan but he has spoken of his wish to help the Prime Minister in the past.
In an interview Sir Alan said: "He's a good bloke and I might give him some money in 18 months if he needs it. His problem is that he is not an actor but he is exactly what, as I was growing up, I thought a Prime Minister should be like: a serious person who, with all due respect, is a bit boring and not, perhaps, that eloquent in his presentation skills.
"I'd like to see Gordon lose his temper and dish out some stick."
Reader views (9)
Ken for PM...
- Peter, scotland
This would be hilarious!
People didn't like Ken for his refusal to apologise if he didn't believe he was in the wrong.
AMS appears to have such self belief as to make Ken look positively demure.
- Nick Gardner, Edinburgh, Scotland
Given Sugar's rather suspect recruitment procedures - and choice of candidate, I dread to think of the team he would put together to run City Hall! Maybe he would ask his friend Brown to join after the country fires him as PM.
- Andy Green, Putney, London
Mr Sugarman, you're very sweet, but not a Mayor potential. As you said yourself: stick to what you know!
- Annabelle, London
No Way. I thought Boris was going to make two terms the limit so Livingstone could not run again anyway.
- Fred, London
I wonder what hideous traffic hating plan sugar would dream up to top the congestion charge
- Greentea02, london UK
That's a howl. Labour spent the election campaign assuring us Boris isn't a serious man and now they're thinking about running a bloke best known for saying "You're fired" on TV. And it's not even his catchphrase, he's just copying Donald Trump. I wonder, did Davina turn them down?
- Kevin T, London
Yes the genius that created the Amstrad Emailer deserves to flourish! (Irony alert)
If he's now close to Gordon it explains why his business success has deserted him and he has to rely on cheesy TV.
- Ethan, nr Dole farm
No chance of thinking about someone who isn't male, white and in their 50's/ 60's then.
Come on - we need new blood - where are the people who are going to lead in the future! I know we have got to balance experience but please. Show me someone younger and hungry for this job.
- Jc, london
