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Lord Mandelson will enter mayoral race, says Ken Livingstone
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor21 Dec 2009
Lord Mandelson and MP Jon Cruddas today emerged as possible contenders to stand for Labour as Mayor of London.
Former mayor Ken Livingstone revealed that he had been warned to expect a “serious” challenge by the Business Secretary for the Labour nomination to fight Boris Johnson in 2012.
Mr Cruddas, MP for Dagenham and highly regarded by the party's grass roots, was also seen as a potential candidate.
However, Mr Livingstone suggested that he himself will have a much better chance of beating Mr Johnson if Labour loses the general election next year because protest votes against a Conservative government will boost the party.
A Mandelson candidacy, being urged by the Business Secretary's admirers within the party, would allow the peer to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, Herbert Morrison, who ran the LCC in the Thirties.
Mr Livingstone revealed today “a senior Blairite” warned him three weeks ago that the peer could be his main challenger for the Labour ticket, should the Government lose the election.
He said a former minister gave him a “friendly tip-off” about a formidable possible challenger. “He gave me a warning that I should take the Mandelson thing seriously. It was not an attempt to turn me off, just a warning he would go for it,” he said.
The prospect of a battle for the nomination risks splitting the London Labour Party, many of whose activists favour Mr Livingstone.
The former mayor said he was “absolutely determined” to wrest back the mayoralty in 2012. He added: “My assumption is that by this time next year we should be on campaign.”
A friend of Lord Mandelson told the Evening Standard today: “I'm sorry to dash your hopes but I think there's more likelihood of Peter becoming a farmer than standing for mayor.”
Mr Johnson also faced fresh rumours he may not contest the 2012 mayoral election, preferring instead to get a safe Parliamentary seat in the hope of succeeding David Cameron as Conservative leader.
Reader views (56)
Mandy...ahh..yes..the "socialist" with a £24,000 watch on his wrist. Was that Keir Hardy I just heard spinning in his grave?
- Dave N, Lancaster UK, 04/02/2010 11:39
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For 12 years Mandleson abandoned the working class and is as unreliable as Labour's record. The only vote he will get is from Brown, if he wins the next General Election.
- Sterling77, Reading, UK., 22/12/2009 04:20
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Bring Back K E N !
We LONDONERS N E E D
KEN'S: CROSS-RIVER TRAM PROJECT
and his POSITIVE Plans to IMPROVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT!
JOHNSON & KULVEER have done everything possible - from the word 'Go! - as soon as elected, to abandon all of the excellent Plans In Progress that KEN LIVINGSTONE had intensively-worked on.
- Roger, GROVE PARK, 21/12/2009 20:10
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This man is really deluded. Doesn't he realise how distrusted and disliked he is? That alone is enough reason not to vote for him; that he has no grasp on reality.
- Simon Cooper, London, UK, 21/12/2009 20:05
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This gesture is to tie up Boris from leaving his post at the next election and move on back into mainstream politics.Mandy will never go for Mayor,the man has no idea what he wants.As for Ken....who knows?
Can anyone ever believe and trust Mandy?This poor man has been out of the news for a few days so he must take the headlines as an act of reasurance,ego,mindlessness and just plain insecurity.How many potential posts has Mandy tried in the last month?......none of which did he have the slightest chance.This idiot is only fooling himself.
- Tithonus, Athens Greece., 21/12/2009 18:33
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Bit of a difficult one, really: who is the more repulsive liar: Livingstone or Mandelson? Lock 'em up in a prison cell and let them fight it out.
- Alan Scott, Draguignan, France, 21/12/2009 17:51
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Please don't go down this road,do not encourage Mandy or you will be sorry and after the election Gordon will be off saving the world,god help us all.
- Davey_Bouy, Chertsey, 21/12/2009 17:30
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Bozza would be handed a massive majority...but, I am still hopeful that Bozza will be leaving office in May 2010, creating a by-election two years earlier than Mandy foresees, to be Prime Minister of our great country.
- Top Dollar, Hounslow, 21/12/2009 16:44
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Good.
It'll give me the chance to vote against him.
(That'll be a shock for him, having to actually go to the voters instead of just Lording it over everyone...).
- John T, London, 21/12/2009 16:37
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And this is a man who has been slung out twice. Heaven above help us if some idiots elect him.
- Amber In Mitcham, Mitcham Surrey, 21/12/2009 16:10
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The only place I can think would suit Mandelson is a sort of wicker basket where he can 'coil' himself up like a snake, taking care not to bite his tongue, lest he poisons himself. Slither, slither......arhggg!
- Beatriz, London, 21/12/2009 15:37
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The only vote he will get is Gordons and thats only if Gordon still is around to vote.
- John Smith, London. UK, 21/12/2009 15:28
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Judging from these spontaneous comments, this man's public life/career is finished (a longtime ago!).
Overstaying will be like ex sell by date foods from Supermarkets - health (UK) hazards!!
ANY INTELLIGENT PERSON SEEING THESE COMMENTS SHOULD SELF REFLECT HIS OR HER OWN PAST DOINGS!!!!!
- Hk, West London, UK, 21/12/2009 15:06
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I think that the entire Labour parliamentary party could not feel worthy to stand as Mayor.
But this low-life repellent scumbag whose attributions represent that of a two-faced slime-ball would not only have less than no chance but my guess is that if he showed his face in tow, even during campaigning, the sales of throwable rotten eggs would go thorough the roof.
Do we want him inside the M25 ever again? - Everybody now - - - - - - NO
- June, Gospel Oak, 21/12/2009 14:41
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Nice one for the conservative party - guarantees them a landslide victory.
- Petra, alicante, spain, 21/12/2009 13:58
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Won't happen. Mandelson's ego is too large to risk a likely humiliating defeat. It will probably be Boris vs Ken again and I see no reason to expect a different result. Boris has been far from a "disaster for London" unless you're a bitter Labour supporter.
- Kevin T, Beckenham, Kent, 21/12/2009 13:56
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Won't happen. Mandelson's ego is too large to risk a likely humiliating defeat. It will probably be Boris vs Ken again and I see no reason to expect a different result. Boris has been far from a "disaster for London" unless you're a bitter Labour supporter.
- Kevin T, Beckenham, Kent, 21/12/2009 13:56
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Would you buy a second hand car from this man?
Nope. Nor would I.
Having been one of the architects of London's financial meltdown, would anyone who is truly proud of London seriously vote for this person?
But then one in four of our population is mentally ill. Which explains the consistent 25% of voters still supporting these ZanuLabour crooks. Go figure.
- Ricky, Hackney, London., Hackney, London, 21/12/2009 13:42
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Best news I've hear all day, he's got my vote.
- Maddy Fan, Hackney, 21/12/2009 13:27
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Surely to God this evil man should be banned from public life. He is the main thrust behind all nulabour's lies and deceptions and is simply concerned with his own advancement and the accumulation of wealth. He is just another hypocrital, duplcitous, low life socialist.
- Margy, London, 21/12/2009 13:13
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if ken stands again he gets my vote.
- C May, bromley, 21/12/2009 13:00
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A rat deserting the sinking ship!
- Jon, London, 21/12/2009 12:51
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I have been thinking for a good ten minutes, cant think of anyone more revolting
- Peter Woods, Torre Chianca, Italy, 21/12/2009 12:49
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It's an April Fools joke, Ken has just got his months mixed up.
- Mikkid, Hackney, London, 21/12/2009 12:39
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I take it then Labour is admitting defeat in the 2010 election. I thought Mandy wanted to be Primeminister.
- Michael Riley, London, 21/12/2009 12:34
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This is the best news that Boris Johnson has had for ages.
If the Newt decided to run again, there are just enough deluded souls to the North and East of London to hand him a victory; but apart from a few of the Notting Hill set, I can't see anyone in London voting for Lord Mandy of Pandy.
Then again, if I was Bojo, I would be happy to hand back the shambles that will be the 2012 Olympics to the administration that so wanted it in the first place.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, the Scottish one, 21/12/2009 12:17
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If this man stands odds on another Tory mayor .
- Alan Baker, essex .uk, 21/12/2009 11:45
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Mandleson v Johnson. I think the Liberal Democrats have won.
- Mick, London, England, 21/12/2009 11:41
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Unbelievablely cynical - mandleson or ken - who would you trust to hold your mums purse ......
Go on the Boris!
- Paul ., Central London, 21/12/2009 11:33
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It would be a close run thing to name which one, Blair or Mandelson, is the most despised and loathed man in Europe. The pair most certainly are in their own country.
- Andrew, London, 21/12/2009 11:31
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No No No No.
Labour need to put up a credible, trusted candidate, not one who is as shifty and unreliable as Mandelson. And Labour don't have any more trusted, credible politicians any more - Tony Benn was the last of those.
- Alison, London, 21/12/2009 11:19
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He's just stirring the pot to get his ugly mug in the papers again. Ignore him.
- A. Cameron, Liege, Belgium, 21/12/2009 11:18
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@Roger, Devon
"Only the dribbling fools would vote for this thing"
Yes, and this is why Labour has been so keen to dumb down every aspect of our society: there are now plenty of dribbling fools ready to vote, not only for Mandelson but for anything else that Brown and his cronies can dream up!
- John Bull, Londonistan, UK, 21/12/2009 11:17
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Rat and sinking ship come to mind if he is planning for the future before an election!
- Tojo, Hythe Kent, 21/12/2009 11:15
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Coming from a party that has wrecked the foundations of UK's wealth, prosperity..... through CLAIMS of Prudence, Opportunity..... etc.
Do we want more wreckage? from some OVERWHELMINGLY disliked so called politician?
Like junk data on an old computer , these oldtime politicians need to be removed - by the next general election so UK can perform more efficiently!!
- Ck, Middx, UK, 21/12/2009 11:10
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Labour have just handed Boris a second term.
- Johntymol, WGC UK, 21/12/2009 11:07
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At last a fine honest upstanding gentleman standing for Mayor ! (NOT)
- Wayne, Herts, Uk, 21/12/2009 11:05
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How do Labour manage to create such loathsome characters?
Only the dribbling fools would vote for this thing.
- Roger, Devon, 21/12/2009 11:00
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Why stop at mandelson for mayor?,lets sack the windsors and make him King or Queen!!.
- Jacob, Bent Kent Region1648A EUSSR., 21/12/2009 10:50
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Ken's already had his go as London mayor. Move on Ken and get over the fact that you lost, it's time to let someone else stand as Labour's candidate for London mayor - though Mandelson wouldn't be my choice.
- Cathy, London, 21/12/2009 10:49
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Some error here, surely? Mandy has never 'earned' a position courtesy of a public vote, only by his ability for brown-nosing. I'm so looking forward to voting "no to Mandy!"
- Marianne, SW France/London, 21/12/2009 10:45
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As a Londoner,who ever runs for Mayor will need to reverse the 18% TAX that rich boy Boris has put on public transport.I think the whole of London has realised that having Eaton Rich boys running the affairs of London was a big mistake.Ken will win hands down if he can reverse this Tax on such an essential service,I Ken will find a way,he saved Londoners before and he will do it again.
- Dave, london, 21/12/2009 10:42
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hartlepools very own dick whittington
- Scony, middlesbrough, 21/12/2009 10:39
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For someone who has claimed to be happy working for the next Tory Govt(if asked), this just shows how unreliable he can be for the sake of some income and exposure!!
What has he done constructively since he has been in any job? In current financial chaos, UK needs hard working people not Spin , Spin , Spin.
If Spin can get us all the way, Farmers would not need to attend to their crops, sheep , pigs and cattle!!
- Hk, West London, UK, 21/12/2009 10:26
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But surely Mandleson has received three out of his last four positions by appointment by the largesse of Blair and Brown?
If he stands for election rather than being appointed, he'll get a bloody nose (unless of course Brown appoints him as London Mayor for life)!
- George, London, 21/12/2009 10:12
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Well if Livingstone stands as an independent again against Boris, [or another Tory], and Medalsome...[who acts like a Tory anyway], I know where my vote will go.
- Mark H, London England, 21/12/2009 10:08
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Anyone is better than Ken.
- Paul, London, 21/12/2009 10:03
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There doesn't need to be another election for Mayor, we have one at the moment who is loved by nearly all Londoners and has done a wonderful job in making London the current success it is and should be allowed to continue to do so for as long as he wishes which will be a long, long time.
- Kimberley, London, 21/12/2009 10:02
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Mandelson will get his KGB mates in as enforcers. Mandelson fraternises with the worst of society - tax-dodgers, arms dealers, rogues and plutocrats who sail large yachts bought with stolen money.
- Neil, People'S Republic Of Europe (Formerly England), London UK, 21/12/2009 09:49
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Good. About time he held a position by virtue of facing the electorate rather than being parachuted in by divine Gord.
May even be catching who knows perhaps democracy might even start to be applied to other forms of UK Government then perhaps even the EU...who knows.
I look forward to voting against him.
- Ethan, EUSSR, 21/12/2009 09:46
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Mandelson must know he doesn't have a hope in hell of winning any sort of election so I think we can safely say that this is a publicity stunt. He hasn't had his name in the papers for a couple of weeks and he can't bear to be out of the news. Livingstone demeans him self for collaborating with/ being taken in by the story.
- Alex, London, UK, 21/12/2009 09:43
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That was funny! and preposterous. The fact is, Labour have no one to offer as a serious candidate, not even Ken Livingstone, who they won't back again.
In any case, Mandelson is universally loathed by the electorate, his contempt for democracy and open government have seen to that.
- Sarahn, London, UK, 21/12/2009 09:41
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God help us...
- Mrkp, london, 21/12/2009 09:35
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NO!
NO!
NO!
- Roy, London, 21/12/2009 09:35
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Mandelson would very quickly find out, as soon as he put his nose outside the Westminster Village, that the real world despises and distrusts him, his gigantic ego, his politics, and his absurd freight-train of titles. London needs a mayor we can actually like, which also rules out Ken Livingston.
- Ken, Bexleyheath, 21/12/2009 09:29
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God help democracy in the UK - with the likes of troughers Meddlescum, Blunkett, Prescott and Jackboot Straw all draining the public purse for their own ends.
- Reuben Camara, Plot 1, Morecambe Compound, EUSSR, 21/12/2009 09:26
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