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May 1st, 2008, 12:54 PM
The world's oldest and greatest democracy cranks into action today as local elections are held in Britain. Local elections are being held throughout England and Wales (Scotland and Northern Ireland can hold their local elections seperately though, of course, a General Election has to be held throughout the whole of Britain).
Not only that, but today is also decision day for Londoners as they take to the polls to elect a new Mayor.
Ten candidates are running for London Mayor - nine representing their political parties and one running as an independent.
Candidates from political parties such as UKIP, BNP, the Green Party, Left List and the English Democrats are running, but the two favourites, the two heavyweights, in the elections are Labour's Ken Livingstone (the current mayor) and the Tories' Boris Johnson...
Londoners take to Mayor polls
By STAFF REPORTER
1st May 2008
The Sun
LONDON MAYORAL ELECTIONS - THE CANDIDATES
Ken Livingstone: Labour
Boris Johnson: Conservatives
Brian Paddick - Liberal Democrats
Richard Barnbrook - British National Party (BNP)
Gerrard Batten - UK Independence Party (UKIP)
Sian Berry - Green Party
Matt O'Connor - English Democrats
Alan Craig - Christian Choice
Lindsey German - Left List
Winston McKenzie - Independent
THE hotly contested battle for the Mayor of London crown comes to a head today as Londoners take to the polls to deliver their verdict.
Tory hopeful Boris Johnson has given Ken Livingstone his closest run since the job was set up in 2000 and both candidates have acknowledged it is neck and neck.
The results of today’s election will have repercussions beyond London as Mr Livingstone’s first defeat would be a major psychological blow to Labour and Gordon Brown.
The first Tory Mayor of London would also give David Cameron his biggest electoral prize so far as he tries to show that his party is once more ready for office.
Equally, there will be relief for Labour should Mr Livingstone hold on to the keys to City Hall.
The results will be announced tomorrow afternoon and will almost certainly be decided on crucial second preferences.
Today’s voting marks the culmination of a contest which has been hard fought by Mr Livingstone, Mr Johnson and the Liberal Democrat candidate, ex-police commander Brian Paddick.
Yesterday Mr Livingstone branded his Tory rival Boris Johnson "a joke".
"It’s not an election for the host of Have I Got News For You or Celebrity Mayor," he said.
"It’s about who is best placed to run an £11billion budget every year."
Mr Johnson called the Labour Mayor of the last eight years "out of date".
He said: "You have a choice between new policies and fresh energy from a new Mayor in City Hall, or more of the same from a tired, out-of-date administration that is beset by allegations of sleaze."
Mr Johnson also revealed that his campaign had been boosted by a late surge in donations.
His coffers were swelled by nearly £140,000 in March - almost double February’s £74,000 take.
It is impossible to compare Mr Johnson’s funding tally with those of his Labour rival Ken Livingstone, as the Mayor does not publish his individually.
Despite Tory complaints, Mr Livingstone’s campaign maintains that his donations are made to the Labour Party and therefore only require to be declared as such.
thesun.co.uk
The world's oldest and greatest democracy cranks into action today as local elections are held in Britain. Local elections are being held throughout England and Wales (Scotland and Northern Ireland can hold their local elections seperately though, of course, a General Election has to be held throughout the whole of Britain).
Not only that, but today is also decision day for Londoners as they take to the polls to elect a new Mayor.
Ten candidates are running for London Mayor - nine representing their political parties and one running as an independent.
Candidates from political parties such as UKIP, BNP, the Green Party, Left List and the English Democrats are running, but the two favourites, the two heavyweights, in the elections are Labour's Ken Livingstone (the current mayor) and the Tories' Boris Johnson...
Londoners take to Mayor polls
By STAFF REPORTER
1st May 2008
The Sun
LONDON MAYORAL ELECTIONS - THE CANDIDATES
Ken Livingstone: Labour Boris Johnson: Conservatives Brian Paddick - Liberal Democrats Richard Barnbrook - British National Party (BNP) Gerrard Batten - UK Independence Party (UKIP) Sian Berry - Green Party Matt O'Connor - English Democrats Alan Craig - Christian Choice Lindsey German - Left List Winston McKenzie - IndependentTHE hotly contested battle for the Mayor of London crown comes to a head today as Londoners take to the polls to deliver their verdict.
Tory hopeful Boris Johnson has given Ken Livingstone his closest run since the job was set up in 2000 and both candidates have acknowledged it is neck and neck.
The results of today’s election will have repercussions beyond London as Mr Livingstone’s first defeat would be a major psychological blow to Labour and Gordon Brown.
The first Tory Mayor of London would also give David Cameron his biggest electoral prize so far as he tries to show that his party is once more ready for office.
Equally, there will be relief for Labour should Mr Livingstone hold on to the keys to City Hall.
The results will be announced tomorrow afternoon and will almost certainly be decided on crucial second preferences.
Today’s voting marks the culmination of a contest which has been hard fought by Mr Livingstone, Mr Johnson and the Liberal Democrat candidate, ex-police commander Brian Paddick.
Yesterday Mr Livingstone branded his Tory rival Boris Johnson "a joke".
"It’s not an election for the host of Have I Got News For You or Celebrity Mayor," he said.
"It’s about who is best placed to run an £11billion budget every year."
Mr Johnson called the Labour Mayor of the last eight years "out of date".
He said: "You have a choice between new policies and fresh energy from a new Mayor in City Hall, or more of the same from a tired, out-of-date administration that is beset by allegations of sleaze."
Mr Johnson also revealed that his campaign had been boosted by a late surge in donations.
His coffers were swelled by nearly £140,000 in March - almost double February’s £74,000 take.
It is impossible to compare Mr Johnson’s funding tally with those of his Labour rival Ken Livingstone, as the Mayor does not publish his individually.
Despite Tory complaints, Mr Livingstone’s campaign maintains that his donations are made to the Labour Party and therefore only require to be declared as such.
thesun.co.uk
