Ken and Boris: The Story So Far
KEN LIVINGSTONE
● Promises to cut public transport fares by seven per cent and then peg future rises to inflation
● Reintroduce Educational Maintenance Allowance for young Londoners
● Help parents back into work with improved childcare services
● Save Londoners £150pa on energy bills by buying fuel through Transport for London contracts
● Reinstate police sergeants to 600 Safer Neighbourhood teams
● Lobby for extensions to South London’s Tramlink and the DLR
BORIS JOHNSON
● Promises to put 1,000 more police officers on the street
● Create 200,000 new jobs and expand apprenticeship scheme
● Reduce City Hall’s share of council tax by 10 per cent
● Bid to take control of key suburban rail services
● Invest in tube infrastructure and reduce delays by 30 per cent
● Promote regeneration schemes in riot-hit areas
● Access extra funding for London from Conservative colleagues in Downing Street
December 5
Ken pledges to cut fares by seven per cent.
January 19
YouGov poll: 51-49 to Ken.
March 11
Revelations that Ken paid himself through a company called ‘Silveta’ lead to allegations of hypocrisy over tax arrangements.
March 20
YouGov poll: 54-46 to Boris.
March 21
The Jewish Chronicle reports Livingstone said “rich Jews won’t vote Labour”.
April 3
“Rift in a Lift” as Johnson swears at Livingstone over allegations of tax evasion.
April 5
Green Jenny Jones says candidates should release income tax details. All follow suit, but Ken declines to issue the full “Silveta” accounts.
April 11
Ken cries at launch of his manifesto.
April 19
City A.M. reveals Ken uses private healthcare. Labour’s Lord Sugar says: “I seriously suggest NO ONE votes for Livingstone”.
April 30
YouGov poll 52-48 to Boris. Fears of electoral fraud in Tower Hamlets.