political commentator * author * publisher * bookseller * radio presenter * blogger * Conservative candidate * former lobbyist * Jack Russell owner * West Ham United fanatic * Email iain AT iaindale DOT com
Monday, March 02, 2009
Questions for Ken Livingstone
Tomorrow I am interviewing Ken Livingstone for the April issue of Total Politics. Feel free to suggest questions I might ask him.
Do you *really* think you can stand for London Mayor again? Do you think Labour will let you?* Surely by then someone else will be chosen?
*I was in Ken’s first non-Labour London campaign and he still owes me a quid for an eve of poll wager over when he would be readmitted to the Labour party.
1) The £90k non job he gave to his fifth mistress.
2) The £80M he left out of the London budget for transport, so that fares would stay the same in the year that He might had been re-elected
3) Why did stay quiet about the £7B overspend on the olympics. Or was his statement he uttered on radio "If I had told the truth then there would never had been any games" a lie.
How can he live with himself with being such a rancid hypocrite? How could he ever support a political ideology that resulted in the deaths of 150,000,000 last century? He can he support Hugo Chavez when the country has fallen into anarchy, the Gini coefficient has increased dramatically, and when El Presidente himself lives in a palace yet criticises the rich, and claims to support redistribution but dosen't redistribute his own wealth?
It is embarrassing that he is watching the current Mayor's activities vis attending Assembly Meetings and on one occasion ringing up a local radio station to dispute a statement from the Mayor's office. This is not serving his apparent wish to stand again at the next election. Does he not accept that his actions weaken him as a politician?
Can he not accept that he has had his stint as London leader?
Can he not accept that he is no longer the favoured candidate to represent the Labour Party? Who wants the same old face?
He is a mature man? Does he not consider that his permanent sulk diminishes his stature?
Is his actions and intent to fulfil his super ego? What about the party he supposedly represents?
The strange behaviour of Ken Livingdead reminds me of the Zombies in the dawn of the dead movies; when they keep returning to the shopping malls, because it's all they can really identify with.
Someone should tell him he's the political equivalent of the Zombies . We don't need or want him and his ilk any more, his brand of poseur, student union politics is over. Go home and stay at fcuking home...
So what was all that cuddling up to Islamic fundies about? They are essentially fascistic as well as being anti-reason. Londoners have reason to hate them too.
We have a local as well as a global problem with Islamicists. Was it just all about being trendy? Or was it an electoral calculation? If the latter wasn’t that a bit politically dim?
I would start with the positives. He opened the Royal Festival Hall to the people, when he was at the GLC. It was just for bow ties and stuffed shirts beforehand. He transformed it and brought more people to listen to good music, of all varieties. The Jazz, the Choirs etc that was a positive.
The cheap London Transport fares was a success. More people travelled by tube and bus and less used the roads. WHY did he not bring that policy back when he was Mayor?
His Nuclear Free Zone was another success - we did not experience any nuclear attack!! and so why did he not declare a Crime Free Zone when Mayor?
As a real Socialist he must have seen the real dangers of our credit for all, cheap 120% mortgages etc..did he warn Brown? when he was Mayor...what would he do now?
Would he be in favour of outlawing Credit Cards?
But is politics a young mans game and does he really want to challenge Boris? Are you, in effect, going through a grieving process still?
What do you think of Labour's chances in the General Election? Who is to blame? What would you have done differently from Gordon Brown?
I found, every time I met him, that he is a charming man.Terrific company. It should be an excellent read.
What is Ken's opinion of Gordon Brown's public/private finance initiatives to fund public infrastructure, particularly the London transport system, and for state provision in health and education in general.
You should ask this of Ken: "When you began your career in politics did you ever think you would end it like Ted Heath, embarking on the longest sulk in history?"
Given that he said during the enquiry before the Bill was passed that nobody should be Mayor for more than one term how does he justify a. having two terms b. wanting to stand again?
Also, when is he going to get a life? He lost, that's it. End of story. When is he going to stop pretending that he is the "king over the water"?
What does Len Duvall think of your acting in a self-appointed role as Leader of the Opposition to the Johnson mayoralty, a job which is surely his (as Leader of the Labour group on the Assembly) until a new Labour mayoral candidate is selected?
Do you realise just how much of a bad loser you come across as, and that the proper thing to do would be to accept your defeat and move on in your life?
Does he feel any shame for enthusiastically inviting an Islamic fundamentalist pro terrorist supporter, pro suicide bombing, anti gay, anti woman, preacher to come to London and spout off his vile views and then having to stand up a few months later to condemn the actions of Islamic fundamentalist terrorists who blew them selves up and killed so many Londoners?
Ask him what he thinks about the rumours of Sir Alan Sugar possibly standing for mayor?
Failing that ask him what he thinks about the pension system for MPs and whether it is right for them to pontificate about Banker pensions when they have huge pensions as MPs and cabinet ministers?
What does he think of John Prescott's blog Go4th - has he any plans to start one himself?
Depends who you are. I used the F word on here once, following great provocation from some idiot called Denim, or Canvas, or some such, and the Dale heavy mob immediately started ejection proceedings.
But I noticed the other day that nice Mr Oxo the Clown came in F'ing and blinding like a demented fishwife, to be greeted obsequiously by our host and asked if he preferred milk or lemon.
Ask him if he understands that the reason so many people rejected him was the blatent corruption that he presided over and (at the very least) appeared to encourage.
How does he live with himself as he public supports terrorists and advocates of terrorism?
ReplyDeleteKen
ReplyDeleteDo you *really* think you can stand for London Mayor again? Do you think Labour will let you?* Surely by then someone else will be chosen?
*I was in Ken’s first non-Labour London campaign and he still owes me a quid for an eve of poll wager over when he would be readmitted to the Labour party.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHave you got over it yet, darling?
ReplyDeleteAsk him politely if he would just go away and please leave us all alone.
ReplyDeleteHow's everything with Mole, Ratty and Mr Badger?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteQuestions to ask him,
ReplyDelete1) The £90k non job he gave to his fifth mistress.
2) The £80M he left out of the London budget for transport, so that fares would stay the same in the year that He might had been re-elected
3) Why did stay quiet about the £7B overspend on the olympics. Or was his statement he uttered on radio "If I had told the truth then there would never had been any games" a lie.
How can he live with himself with being such a rancid hypocrite? How could he ever support a political ideology that resulted in the deaths of 150,000,000 last century? He can he support Hugo Chavez when the country has fallen into anarchy, the Gini coefficient has increased dramatically, and when El Presidente himself lives in a palace yet criticises the rich, and claims to support redistribution but dosen't redistribute his own wealth?
ReplyDeleteBoris became Mayor via a career in the media. You look set for a media career, via city hall. Who got the best deal?
ReplyDeleteWhat Colin said.
ReplyDeleteIain, did you see Peter Hitchens 'review' of 'Milk' in the Mail on Sunday. The man is a disgrace.
ReplyDeleteDid he think it was ok to buy so many copies of the morning star that it was in fact a subsidy paid for by Londoners.
ReplyDeleteDoes he think London has missed him
Did he do anything wrong when he was mayor. What are his strengths and weaknesses.
Does he think people should drink booze at work.
What does he think of Boris and his electric cars.
Question to Ken,
ReplyDelete"Are you a true and full supporter of the view that 'If you repeat a lie enough times it takes on the mantle of looking like the truth'".
I'd like to ask Ken these questions:
ReplyDelete1. Do you oppose everything Boris does on purely tribal grounds, or do you think that he has had some positive impact since becoming mayor?
2. Will the Labour party be a millstone around your neck at the next Mayoral election?
3. Does Gordon have anything to apologise for concerning his regulation of the City of London as Chancellor?
4. We've had two terms of Ken as mayor. What could you positively add to London that you haven't already?
You have been the head of GLC, and twice mayor of London, shouldn't someone else from the left have a fair stab at leading the nation's capital?
ReplyDeleteDo you think there is no one talented enough in labour to replace you?
Do you think that the London Mayoralty belongs to you?
ReplyDeleteIt is embarrassing that he is watching the current Mayor's activities vis attending Assembly Meetings and on one occasion ringing up a local radio station to dispute a statement from the Mayor's office. This is not serving his apparent wish to stand again at the next election. Does he not accept that his actions weaken him as a politician?
ReplyDeleteCan he not accept that he has had his stint as London leader?
Can he not accept that he is no longer the favoured candidate to represent the Labour Party? Who wants the same old face?
He is a mature man? Does he not consider that his permanent sulk diminishes his stature?
Is his actions and intent to fulfil his super ego? What about the party he supposedly represents?
etc etc...... Jane
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJane @ 10:37
ReplyDeleteAgreed.
The strange behaviour of Ken Livingdead reminds me of the Zombies in the dawn of the dead movies; when they keep returning to the shopping malls, because it's all they can really identify with.
Someone should tell him he's the political equivalent of the Zombies . We don't need or want him and his ilk any more, his brand of poseur, student union politics is over. Go home and stay at fcuking home...
How easy is it being delusional? I have often wondered. Does he talk to Wedgwood Benn about it?
ReplyDeleteIs he London's most important person or does he just think he is?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mr Dance
ReplyDeleteWhere is Lee Jasper? AND THE MONEY?
Ken
ReplyDeleteSo what was all that cuddling up to Islamic fundies about? They are essentially fascistic as well as being anti-reason. Londoners have reason to hate them too.
We have a local as well as a global problem with Islamicists. Was it just all about being trendy? Or was it an electoral calculation? If the latter wasn’t that a bit politically dim?
Ask him when he is going to end his self-delusion and recognise what we have long known - that he is an Authoritarian hypocrite.
ReplyDeleteI would start with the positives. He opened the Royal Festival Hall to the people, when he was at the GLC. It was just for bow ties and stuffed shirts beforehand. He transformed it and brought more people to listen to good music, of all varieties. The Jazz, the Choirs etc that was a positive.
ReplyDeleteThe cheap London Transport fares was a success. More people travelled by tube and bus and less used the roads. WHY did he not bring that policy back when he was Mayor?
His Nuclear Free Zone was another success - we did not experience any nuclear attack!! and so why did he not declare a Crime Free Zone when Mayor?
As a real Socialist he must have seen the real dangers of our credit for all, cheap 120% mortgages etc..did he warn Brown? when he was Mayor...what would he do now?
Would he be in favour of outlawing Credit Cards?
But is politics a young mans game and does he really want to challenge Boris? Are you, in effect, going through a grieving process still?
What do you think of Labour's chances in the General Election? Who is to blame? What would you have done differently from Gordon Brown?
I found, every time I met him, that he is a charming man.Terrific company. It should be an excellent read.
What is Ken's opinion of Gordon Brown's public/private finance initiatives to fund public infrastructure, particularly the London transport system, and for state provision in health and education in general.
ReplyDeleteHaving sought to govern and be re-elected through the support of a narrow section of the electorate, do you now regret this strategy?
ReplyDeleteYou should ask this of Ken: "When you began your career in politics did you ever think you would end it like Ted Heath, embarking on the longest sulk in history?"
ReplyDeleteGiven that he said during the enquiry before the Bill was passed that nobody should be Mayor for more than one term how does he justify
ReplyDeletea. having two terms
b. wanting to stand again?
Also, when is he going to get a life? He lost, that's it. End of story. When is he going to stop pretending that he is the "king over the water"?
What does Len Duvall think of your acting in a self-appointed role as Leader of the Opposition to the Johnson mayoralty, a job which is surely his (as Leader of the Labour group on the Assembly) until a new Labour mayoral candidate is selected?
ReplyDeleteDo you realise just how much of a bad loser you come across as, and that the proper thing to do would be to accept your defeat and move on in your life?
Ken,
ReplyDeleteDuring the NI 'troubles' you condemned the RUC and security services for their targetting of terrorists while they were carry out murder operations.
In comparison you backed the Met's use of shoot to kill in the case of Menzes killing.
How do you equate the two positions?
Does he feel any shame for enthusiastically inviting an Islamic fundamentalist pro terrorist supporter, pro suicide bombing, anti gay, anti woman, preacher to come to London and spout off his vile views and then having to stand up a few months later to condemn the actions of Islamic fundamentalist terrorists who blew them selves up and killed so many Londoners?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteIf the answer is Ken Livingstone then what's the question....
ReplyDeleteWot Elby said ...
ReplyDeletestrapworld said... “But is politics a young mans game...”
ReplyDeleteHardly. Quite the opposite, I’d say. Obama being the youngish exception.
Ask him what he thinks about the rumours of Sir Alan Sugar possibly standing for mayor?
ReplyDeleteFailing that ask him what he thinks about the pension system for MPs and whether it is right for them to pontificate about Banker pensions when they have huge pensions as MPs and cabinet ministers?
What does he think of John Prescott's blog Go4th - has he any plans to start one himself?
Can we have the ban on offensive language lifted for the purposes of this thread fielding incisive and accurate questions to Leninspart?
ReplyDeleteDear Mr Cat, 4:59pm
ReplyDeleteDepends who you are. I used the F word on here once, following great provocation from some idiot called Denim, or Canvas, or some such, and the Dale heavy mob immediately started ejection proceedings.
But I noticed the other day that nice Mr Oxo the Clown came in F'ing and blinding like a demented fishwife, to be greeted obsequiously by our host and asked if he preferred milk or lemon.
It's not what you know.....
Ask him if he understands that the reason so many people rejected him was the blatent corruption that he presided over and (at the very least) appeared to encourage.
ReplyDeleteIf I said you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeletePerhaps you could ask him if his lady-friend knows about this photograph?
ReplyDeleteIdle Pen Pusher
- Ignited's question is very good.
ReplyDelete- His views on Alexander Lebedev and the Evening Standard?
- How long should the trade union movement persist with a Blairite/Brownite Labour Party ... i.e. is New Labour permanent?
- In eight years as mayor, why didn't you devolve more democracy to the people?
How does Ken feel about the strong prospect that there'll be a new Conservative government in 2010?
ReplyDeleteDoes he have any advice for Prime Minister David Cameron?
In light of Darling's admission in the Telegraph that
ReplyDelete....ministers should have the humility to admit mistakes...
You could ask him if he thinks that Gordon Brown should apologize for bankrupting the country.
Ask him whether he heard of the Grand Nufti's proclamation in 1948
ReplyDeleteWhy newts, Ken?
ReplyDeleteIf he misses his open chequebook for whatever he fancies
ReplyDelete