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Labour must move on after Ken's errors, says minister
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor22 Aug 2008
Ken Livingstone lost the mayoral election because he failed to treat knife crime seriously enough and ignored London's suburbs, a government minister declared today.
In the first public hint of a Labour backlash against Mr Livingstone's campaign, trade minister Gareth Thomas said it was now time for the party to look at a "new generation of candidates" for the 2012 battle against Boris Johnson.
Mr Livingstone has given signals that he wants to run again as the Labour candidate for Mayor. But some in the London Labour Party believe that a fresh start is needed and are touting equalities chief Trevor Phillips and the Government's skills minister David Lammy as possible contenders.
Mr Thomas, who is also MP for the key marginal of Harrow West, rejected Mr Livingstone's claims that he had lost largely because of Gordon Brown's unpopularity.
"To dismiss the defeat in London as being solely because of the wider national picture is to turn a blind eye to a series of tactical mistakes the campaign made that alienated suburban voters," he said.
"Arguably the biggest tactical error the London campaign made was to ignore until far too late a key concern for suburban voters: crime and antisocial behaviour."
Mr Livingstone came under attack from Mr Johnson during the mayoral election for playing down the spate of knife murders in the capital. The former mayor even blamed the media for the rise in prominence of the issue.
Mr Thomas added: "As Boris already begins to run into problems, Labour in London needs a genuine debate among a new generation of candidates and activists on how to rebuild a coalition to win back City Hall."
Reader views (2)
It's a toss up which one looks sadder these days - Livingstone or Brown
- Richard, Wandsworth, 22/08/2008 15:00
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Ken Livingstone lost the election because he turned London in a Third World Theme Park.
- Kyle, Lonxon, 22/08/2008 11:55
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