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Sir Alan Sugar: Mayor job is a walk in the park
Paul Waugh27 Apr 2009
Sir Alan Sugar declared that being Mayor of London would be a “walk in the park” today after an Evening Standard poll showed he was the voters' choice to beat Boris Johnson.
The Amstrad tycoon and Labour donor has support among Tory, Labour and Liberal Democrat voters and across all ages and social classes, our YouGov survey found.
Sir Alan, currently on TV telling BBC's Apprentice hopefuls “you're fired”, would get a “you're hired” verdict should he decide to stand for City Hall.
The poll shows that if the businessman stood as an independent he would win 40 per cent of the vote, compared with 32 per cent for Mr Johnson.
The pair immediately locked horns in the wake of the poll, with Sir Alan criticising the Mayor's record and Mr Johnson issuing a defiant “I fear no man” message.
The poll for the Standard and ITV London Tonight also suggests Mr Johnson is still enjoying a honeymoon period and would easily beat Ken Livingstone in a re-run of last year's election.
In a statement in response to the survey, Sir Alan today hinted that he would only run for Mayor if the media refrained from exploring conflicts of interest between the GLA and his various property and technology businesses.
Sir Alan said: “The poll is very flattering. I have no idea what the duties of the London Mayor entail but in observing the past Mayor Livingstone and Boris the current one, I am confident that it would be a walk in the park for me.
“There is a major practical problem which is a conflict of interest that would exist between my various businesses and that of the business of London. It would be cannon fodder to the media every time one of my companies sneezed, so regretfully and at a great loss to Londoners and a mischievous media my appointment is not practical — unless of course the media were to agree to behave themselves. No chance, I guess.”
Mr Johnson made clear he would relish the chance to take on another high-profile contender. He said: “I fear no man — or woman. Obviously it will be a tough fight whoever puts it up.
“If Alan Sugar is to be my nemesis then so be it. Bring it on. The bigger the field the better.” The Mayor refused to write off Ken Livingstone, despite the poll showing he now had a 16-point lead over his former rival. “You never write off Ken Livingstone. I pay tribute to him. He took this office and raised it to the level of national importance it needs to be.”
Young voters in particular support Sir Alan, who pulls in 41 per cent of 18-34 year-olds compared with Mr Johnson's 28 per cent. Higher-paid voters narrowly back Sir Alan, but semi-skilled and manual workers give him a big lead.
Sources close to Mr Livingstone claimed the poll showed he was still the only Labour candidate capable of coming close to Mr Johnson and outpolled Labour nationally. If the race were run again now, Mr Johnson would nearly treble his lead against Mr Livingstone, with the backing of 49 per cent of voters against Mr Livingstone's 33 per cent. Just nine per cent were “don't knows”.
Yet when asked how Mr Johnson would fare against any other unnamed Labour candidate, the results are more mixed. The Mayor then gets 38 per cent to Labour's 24 per cent, but 28 per cent “don't know” who they would back.
Unlike his predecessor, Mr Johnson has not commissioned monthly opinion polls to measure his performance and today's poll gives the first measure of since he swept to power last May. Of the 1,067 polled, 46 per cent are “satisfied” with the way he has done his job, compared with 21 per cent “dissatisfied”. Just four per cent are “don't knows”.
On helping the capital in the downturn, more Londoners think the Mayor has performed badly than well — 39 per cent think he has performed badly, compared to 37 per cent who have been impressed. Mr Johnson said: “In the next 18 months we will be able to do much more. We're going to have a time and it's our job to help people through it.”
The poll gives David Cameron a huge lead in the capital and predicts Labour MPs will lose a swathe of seats in a general election.
Reader views (74)
Let us hope when we all take our walk in the park we see the media obsessed Alan Sugar in the duck pond. Someone should tell him the country has had its fill of mediocrity where we now want and need those who can do not those who whine in front of cameras.
- Joe, Thornton Heath, UK, 21/05/2009 15:26
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Sir Alan has, I believe, already rubbished the rumours of him standing.
As for being Labour, please forgive me while my sides split, he's on record as being a strong fan of Margaret Thatcher, which isn't generally considered an essential feature of Labour politicians. New Labour ones, yes, but New Labour will be dead and rotting in 2012.
"Why use someone who is only interested in himself and not the good of London?"
Didn't stop Spinmaster Boris, did it?
- Tom, London, UK, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Sir Alan would be a great choice! Just like the rest of New Labour supporting London Luvvies, he loves the sound of his own voice, does not believe in critiscm, is obnoxious, self serving and has spent the last 20 years selling the rest of us a load of old tat!
- Gary, amersham, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Tycoons and film stars as political candidates is what one traditionally associated with countries like the Philippines. I thought we were killing the cult of celebrity not looking to take it to a new ludicrous level. The depressing lesson here is that young people's lack of party political allegiance doesn't make them smarter - they just end up backing the first populist who drifts across their path. Does anybody even know what Sir Alan Sugar stands for?
- Tony Mcmahon, London UK, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Ha Ha. this is a joke isn't it?
- H Jones, London, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Oh please, come on folks, we have all had enough of this bloody reality TV. And there I thought it was all over with Jade.... whats her name again?
- Angel, London Lewisham, 21/05/2009 14:26
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This is a joke right?
- Michael, London, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Your joking?! the bloke is little more than a boardroom bully who used to sell rubbish computers and even worse hifi's
- Steve, london, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Oh do us all a favour!
Alan Sugar is as big a waste of conceited space as the rest of Labour. All he wants is to see his own pathetic face on the TV and plastered across the newspapers. But of course at least in the newspapers he can subsequently be placed strategically behind the pipe in the out-house and serve a useful purpose.
- Joe, Thornton Heath, UK, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Why use someone who is only interested in himself and not the good of London?
- Mike, London England, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Sir Alan may well be a brilliant businessman, but is he sufficiently qualified in politics to avoid being told he's fired?
- James Elliott, Eastbourne UK, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Alan Sugar has clearly demonstrated his ability in the quality of candidates he allows to be selected for positions in his company.
- Ian, Reading, England, 21/05/2009 14:26
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I think he would be good for labour because he would be able to get us out of the crunch plus knock the rest of the parties senses back to reality because s far they havent been doing a grand job.
- Fiyinfoluwa Oladimeji, Thamesmead, 21/05/2009 14:26
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The voters in London must be mad to vote for Sugars. All bluff and bluster. He gives it away when he shouts that he has nothing to offer but more shouting.
- Albert Hall, hove england, 21/05/2009 14:26
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How can anyone even reconsider Ken for London, this guy killed small businessess inside the congestion zone in the name of a greener London .Are we absolutely sure of the reason for a warmer planet?i suppose its too late for the businessess that are already gone.
- Valentine Valentine, st lucia, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Hahahaha
What next? The reality TV-watching idiotic masses do a California snd elect Jason Statham as an MP?
Sugar would be a disaster and London would be a joke.
- Ken, London, 21/05/2009 14:26
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I hear that Branson could put himself forward, is that someone laughing I hear? ha ha, Sugar indeed, now don't make me laugh.
- Terry, london, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Who was actually asked in this opinion poll? I can only image that ANYBODY even remotely associated with Labour will NEVER win anything at the ballot box for years to come!! Look at the pasting Red Ken got last year!
- Billy Simons, London, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Boris has scored very badly on helping the capital through the recession. His early announcement of £3 billion cuts in infrastructure for London have been very damaging and the effects will be long lasting.
What is clear is that the economy has deteriorated faster than anyone predicted however Boris doe not seem to have adjusted his polices for the capitals economy. There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction-Winston Churchill
I think it would be fair to say that the Mayor really has demonstrated little interest in the economic aspects of the capital or simply does not understand the importance Londoners place on investment in transport infrastructure.
- Damien Vaugh, London,UK, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Alan Sugar as Mayor? No thank you - let's not make his head any larger than it already is.
- Paul, London, 21/05/2009 14:26
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AS is a chum of Gordon Brown anyway, so I cannot believe that any self respecting Londoner(my husband is one) would even give him tha time of day - If he's still appearing on TV he must be getting short of cash - Do you think he'll bring his old wheelbarrow? Personally,I can't stand the man.
- Sam, Stonehouse, England, 21/05/2009 14:26
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He seems to embody the worst excesses of old fashioned management which got industry into so many problems.
- Mic, Portugal, 21/05/2009 14:26
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" if the media refrained from exploring conflicts of interest"
That lets him out. The media should indeed explore such things, that's their job.
- Stan Ex-London, USA, 21/05/2009 14:26
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this is a ghastly sick joke I hope.
- Graeme, london w149pe, 21/05/2009 14:26
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So the people of London would replace a buffoon with a bully? Heaven help us.
- John, Biggleswade, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Sir Alan, was a good businessman in his time, but I am afraid his time has been and gone. He is now a reasonably good TV bully, but if I were on the panel judging him on his ability to be the next London Mayor, I am afraid Sir Alan would be fired in the first round.
- Peter Thurgood, London SE13, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Why don't Labour Central Office put personality issues aside for once and put Ken Livingstone up for the next mayoral elections. People might not like everything that he has done but, when it comes to running London, he is unsurpassed. He understands the people and their needs. To name but one example - the new London Overground which will be complete in early 2010. Without his pushing, an essential link up for a lot of London Boroughs, both north and south of the river - would still be on the agenda as "any other business".
Alan Sugar, like Gordon Brown and the rest of senior figures in the Labour Party, he is only interested in himself and not the people of London
- Ian, Cranbrook, Kent, 21/05/2009 14:26
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I can't believe this is a serious debate, especially since Boris is still very much Mayor of London. I couldn't think of anything worse than Sir Alan Sugar running London.
Boris is doing masses for Londoners, particularly for young people; he is clearly a visionary who is driven by inspiration and a sense of what's right for people. Sir Alan Sugar is clearly a disagreeable businessman with a dismal attitude, who is driven by making money and getting people to design cereal packets and other paraphernalia.
The Johnson mayoralty is certainly working. St. George's Day was an uplifting success, especially during this bleak economic time. We should have more street parties.
Could you honestly imagine Sir Alan's crumpled up old face smiling at a bunch of morris dancers? He'd fire them all or send them away to make dodgy teasmades!
Perhaps Sir Alan and his team could create chariots and togas for Boris. After all, this is Roman Barbie's turn and the blond is not for turning!
- Mellow Bird, London, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Oh come on people! This is just another scenario for reality TV, with old Alan S in the title slot. Guaranteed adience participation. Lotsa controversy. It can't fail - errrr - can it?
- Rogan, Irving, 21/05/2009 14:26
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To make such a choice without knowing Sugar's manifesto is somewhat dim.
If made because of his appearance on The Apprentice then it would be little short of moronic.
- Minnie, London, UK, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Just shows its not about substance of policy, but purely image and personality
- Brian, Wiltshire, 21/05/2009 14:26
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How fascinating that Paul Waugh has transferred his allegiance from Ken to Sir Alan Sugar. And how boring that he's going to subject us a lengthy propaganda campaign in favour of his candidate .
- Tom Jennings, Beckenham UK, 21/05/2009 14:26
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God help us, no! Not Sugar. We have a good mayor in Venice. But he is good at his job, and modest. That is the sort of candidate London should be attracting.
- Mark, Venice, Italy, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Not got a hope in hell. No political experience, best known for appearing in boring and fast failing TV show.
Boris will batter any New Labour candidate.
- Undercover Elephant, London, UK, 21/05/2009 14:26
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I have to agree with Steve of London; no computer savy street-wise kid, ever bought an Amstrad make of anything; they were all crap.
But as they say; a fool is born every minute; and they tend to buy anything, including illusions.
Maybe that is why Sir Alan moved into property.
Look it is not Boris or anyone else running London; London runs itself, it always has.
I personally think Frank Carson or Stan Boardman either would make better Mayor’s than all the others; but then I am a cockney, and I like cheeky chappies.
- Mickyinlondon, london, 21/05/2009 14:26
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I was not impressed the way the authority's handles the snow back in February.
Not sure Alan Sugar will be up to the job
- Mario Kempe, london, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Is there really such a lack of real news at the moment that we have to dream up "what if" scenarios for London mayors?
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Anyone other than Ken Livingstone
- R.F., Yorks, UK, 21/05/2009 14:26
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It's a sad state of affairs when a TV personality leads a rating like this. I mean, sure, he's "nice" enough, but does he have any REAL leadership qualities?
- Marianne (Uk National And Tax-Payer), SW France, 21/05/2009 14:26
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He'd probably sack almost everyone, so it'll be interesting to see how he manages to run the whole of London on his own! Who contributes to these so called polls. I wouldn't want him as Mayor.
- Sue, Orpington, Kent, 21/05/2009 14:26
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At a time when educating our young people should be a priority, do we really want someone who says "you was not ...." as the highest authority in London? Oh well, whagh..ever, innit?
- Beatriz, London, 21/05/2009 14:26
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I would rather have Susan BOYLE at least she has a "dream" along with kindness and humility. All SUGAR has is an outsize ego and flair for self-publication.
- Robert El-Cid., Hull, East Yorks.,, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Alan Sugar has a very high opinion of himself doesnt he. A walk in the Park he says . Well if that is how he views the job then forget him > Hes just not worth it!
How the Apprentis got such following beats me.
Peter
Spain
- Peter French, Orihuela Costa Spain, 21/05/2009 14:26
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It's interesting how few people think Boris is doing anything ``very well''.
Given his high profile and the amount he spends on spin doctors (instead of the promised rape crisis centres which were supposed to be paid for by a bonfire of PR people) you would think he'd have a better image.
Isn't ``fairly well'' just an English way of saying ``don't know''?
- Thomas, Charlton, UK, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Well, I am one of the 'people' but that man Sugar is certainly not my choice for Mayor. Boris is doing a good job and I don't regard him as a 'buffoon' at least he gets things done and has a sense of humour. I would never vote Tory in my life but I voted for Boris and will vote him in again.
- Kathy Doyle, London - England, 21/05/2009 14:26
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With Sugar as Mayor he would make grandiose claims about the "features" of his park , it would never work and it would cost you a fiver to walk in it !.... After being knighted for the Queen's awards for Imports when are people or as Sugar likes to call them "mug punters" going to wake up and see Sugar for what he is a small ugly man with a very big ego .... ever tried to get Amstrad to fix any of their old products they used to flog ...mmmm
Alan Sugar a man you can trust ....
- Alan, Cheltenham, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Just one word - NO
- Jb Hove, hove sussex uk, 21/05/2009 14:26
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If he is such a successful businessman why is he appearing on reality television? This shows how dumbed down we have become. What next Ant & Dec for Prime Minister ( I know they couldn't be worse than..)
- Gazza, London,England, 21/05/2009 14:26
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you tories are SO easy to wind up!! some of these comments from the 'indignant' of barkingside set are hilarious..........
- Kh, London UK, 21/05/2009 14:26
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"Sir Alan Sugar declared that being Mayor of London would be a 'walk in the park'"
This from the man who bought shares in Woolworths shortly before it went under, when anyone with a peripheral interest in retail, i.e. business, could see it was going under.
- Escobar-Alop-Lop, Camden County, 21/05/2009 14:26
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The very fact that he thinks it would be a walk in the park means that he would never put his all into it. Sounds a bit like Amstrad really, 10 years behind the times and selling to the gullible.
- Bob, Cheam, 21/05/2009 14:26
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How scary. Has the general IQ level dropped so low that people can't differentiate between somebody who can function as a politician and a 'TV personality'? Can you imagine Alan Sugar in charge of a public sector authority? He'd be the only person left after a week. Ridiculous and quite worrying.
- Mark, London, 21/05/2009 14:26
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On the one hand we have the young, eloquent, intelligent, persuasive, passionate and energetic Boris Johnson, who has served as a front-bench MP, and on the other we have a semi-retired market stall trader.
I like Sir Alan, I think he’s very focussed on what he does, but what is it that he does? Did anyone buy his last big product, the e-m@iler video phone? That came out almost 5 years ago. Seen anything from him since.
20 years ago, maybe, but not now, Sir Alan.
- St, London, 21/05/2009 14:26
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A resounding NO! Good friend to the Labour party and look where they've got us!
- Vanessa Morris, Richmond Surrey, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Sir Sugar would be a great business chief for London if such a post exists or can be created, however he does not have the charisma for a Mayoral post. He's got a great attitude for running a business but not for being London's mayor. Sorry Sir Sugar, but I just think you would drain away the colour that Boris has given to the city's public profile, you have the 'doer' ability, but you don't have the 'fun' side to you.
- Rikrok, London, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Sir Alan would never be Mayor, he would never put himself in the frame for possible failure.
As for a joke, it would be like having Sid James as mayor!.
- Mark Burton, St Ives. Cambs, 21/05/2009 14:26
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I do not think he has the patience needed. I think the mayor gets questioned for a couple of hours once a month. That would drive him nuts if the show is anything to go by.
- Mike, London, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Tony McMahon, the irony of your statement is that:
- Boris is a populist media candidate rather than a serious politician, famous for hosting Have I got News for You, as his political career (or journalistic) would put him on hte shadow back bench at best
- Boris was primarily elected by the elderly in the suburbs, so your comment about the generation gap is baseless
I agree with your sentiment however that pop-politics is out of control, and we really dont know what Alan Sugar would stand for. However, what I think people recognise is that Alan Sugar has a track record of success, whereas Boris had achieved nothing before becoming Mayor.
- Nick, Islington, London, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Sugar is a bully - just like his pal Gordon.
- Jonathan Miller, Alfold, England, 21/05/2009 14:26
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I don't think any Spurs fans will vote for him.
But Arsenal fans might.
- Mickyinlondon, london, 21/05/2009 14:26
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With cheap and cheerful Amstrad who built to a price rather than a quality why would anyone vote for Sugar who is only there for the publicity and not to help London.
PLEASE PLEASE SAY NO TO HIM OTHERWISE YOU WILL Ken L.Mk2 IN CONTROL AGAIN
- Mike, London England, 21/05/2009 14:26
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A mouthy chancer: he'll do London well proud.
- Thomas, London, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Sugar doesn't deserve high office let alone a knighthood. On the other hand, Johnson has intelligence on his side and appears to be honest.
- Roger, Winchester, Hampshire, England, 21/05/2009 14:26
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The shareholders of Amstrad don't like Sugar because the company ended up a failure and they lost virtually everything. Sugar's latest product is not successful and his money comes from property. Sugar would never accept being a public servant because he can't fire voters. The most unsuitable person for the job.
- Ralph, London, England, 21/05/2009 14:26
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So it would be back to "Rip Off Brighten" once again !
- Enuff, london, 21/05/2009 14:26
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He cant be as efficient, competent or clever as he seems to appear on t.v. as surely anyone with a tiny bit of sense would have nothing at all to do with labourism and labourites.
- Ed, london, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Hold on! Is this the kind of face London wants flashed around the world? No disrespect to Sugar, but he ain't exactly sweet.
- Pro Bono, London, 21/05/2009 14:26
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A dodgy guy with loads of money? Sounds perfect to me for him to join our political elite...
- Daniel, London, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Cannot be any worse than than that clown Boris.
- Dom, London, 21/05/2009 14:26
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The miserable old curmudgeon, Sr'Alan? No thank you! If he ever becomes Mayor I will feel for the poor staff at City Hall who will be waiting in fear and trepidation for those words being barked at them "You're Fired"!
- Sally Roberts, Hammersmith, London, United Kingdom, 21/05/2009 14:26
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ALAN SUGAR IS THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS MAN UNDER LABOUR. HAVE ANY OF HIS NOW DEFUNCT PRODUCTS EVER BEEN MADE HERE EVER BEEN MADE HERE? I UNDERSTAND HIS PROPERTY EMPIRE IS VERY SUCCESSFUL BUT AS A FIRST RATE ADMINISTRATOR TO RUN LONDON, I THINK THE CATCH PHRASE ,'YOUR FIRED' REALLY SIMS IT U[P
- Alan Green, Woodford Green, 21/05/2009 14:26
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Sir Alan is not a 'businessman' in the true sense of the word. He is in fact a property developer as that is where the vast bulk of his wealth has come from over the last 10 years. Can anyone think of a successful product made/supplied by Sir Alan's company Amstrad in the last 10 years?. Do we really want a Labour supporting property developer as Mayor of London. The Mayor needs to be an experienced political operator.
- Pete, South of England, 21/05/2009 14:26
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I dont think Sir Allan will be my choice for the Mayor of London. Boris is the right man for the job and he is doing extremely well. You go Boris......Hooooorrrrrayyyyy!!!!
- Mary Steer, ealing london, 21/05/2009 14:26
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My opinion of the citizens of London plunges to a new low!has the cult of celebrity so trivialised our thinking?We used to be so radical,so forward thinking,so politically aware,but now we have a clown as mayor thanks to the London public,and next if this pole is anything to go by we will have a pompous second hand car sales man as our mayor,shame on you,you will get what you deserve.
- Kev, London-UK, 21/05/2009 14:26
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