Dangerous clown
It looks as though Boris has kicked Ken’s arse (or “ass”, if you’re one of our US friends).
Some people on the left (including even our own Voltaire’s Priest) don’t think Boris is such bad news. I beg to differ. Of course, I don’t go along with Livingstone’s and his ‘Socialist Action’ bag-carriers’ ridiculous and counter-productive allegations that Johnson is some sort of Nazi. No: it’s that Johnson (like Cameron and - come to that - Blair) is simply a reminder that male, white, upper-class Bertie Wooster-types still have far too much power, privilege and influence in this country. Even if they are amusing good eggs from the Drones Club.
And, of course, a Johnson victory makes a Tory victory at the next general election that much more likely, which - whatever you think of New Labour - can only be bad news for all workers and progressives.
That 10p tax outrage - a blatant attack on the low-paid - is, clearly, the main cause of the disastrous national result. Livingstone has paid the price for New Labour’s national unpopularity, which is probably what has been decisive in London. But Lord Redken of Gobshite’s personal arrogance and political corruption hasn’t helped either.
Sharon Horgan (writer and actor) is spot-on (in yesterday’s Graun G2):
“If I woke up and Boris Johnson was mayor I’d want to give Ken Livingstone a big kick up the arse because it’s his fault. Boris Johnson is as much Ken’s fault as bendy buses. In fact, Boris Johnson is the human eqivalent of the bendy bus: looks like fun but essentially is dangerous and annoying.”
Janine, over at Stroppyblog, makes much the same point, but in more detail.
Finally, however horrible the situation, we do need a laugh: here’s the always amusing Ollie:
http://ollysonions.blogspot.com/2008/04/london-mayor-latest-boris-johnson-core.html
modernityblog said,
May 2, 2008 at 6:31 pm
the point concerning Johnson as London mayor is not only the effect on the metropolis and its inhabitants, but it is another step on the road to political rehabilitation of the Tories
the Tories want to get away from their harsh Thatcherite image, or that of bumbling John Major, to do that they need a platform for Tory policies and propaganda, Johnson as London mayor is that opportunity, they will probably tone down the worst excesses of Johnson’s regime as a method of making him and Cameron’s Tory party more acceptable
so the consequence of Johnson’s win is the potential of a Tory landslide at the next general election, and I think none of us wish that
Zebidee said,
May 2, 2008 at 11:55 pm
Zebidee said,
May 2, 2008 at 11:56 pm
frigging WP coments:
http://drinksoakedtrotsforwar.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/boris_j.jpg
modernityblog said,
May 3, 2008 at 12:57 am
another key issue is the BNP gained a seat and the abject failure of the Left to do much of significance in countering them on home ground.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article3864098.ece
modernityblog said,
May 3, 2008 at 2:59 pm
the real issue is the BNP seat on the assembly, and the failure of the Left
“The far-right British National Party also won its first seat on the London assembly after passing the 5% voter threshold.
Richard Barnbrook, leader of the BNP group on Barking and Dagenham council and a mayoral candidate, will take up one of the 25 assembly seats. ”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article3866659.ece
we’ve underestimated these slimy neo-nazi fuckers far too long, spending time on vanity projects and boosting Galloway’s ego, there needs to be a serious re-think on anti-fascist tactics
voltaires_priest said,
May 3, 2008 at 4:11 pm
I never said he “wasn’t such bad news”, I said it was absurd for Livingstone to campaign against him as though Johnson was some combination of Hitler and Satan. I also said the election was a farce, which it most certainly was. The result being just the icing on the cake.
Jules said,
May 4, 2008 at 10:16 am
Not true VP. No one said Johnson was a “combination of Hitler and Satan” outside of your fevered imagination. His opponents did point out that he was a nasty reactionary racist bigot based on the nasty racist reactionary bigoted comments he’s frequently made and that were documented. You, for some unknown reason, to great exception to this.
You also said that you didn’t think it really mattered who won the election. I’m sad to say the forthcoming assault on working class communities will prove you wrong.
voltairespriest said,
May 4, 2008 at 11:37 am
I didn’t say I was quoting directly Jules, don’t be so bloody silly. It was a phrase used to illustrate the hysteria of Livingstone’s campaign, as I’m sure you’re perfectly well aware. And no, I don’t think that Jonhnson is the evil “reactionary racist” that part of the London left seemed to so fear. He’s clearly a Tory and a prize arse, as well as one with serious credibility issues. But he’s no more of a demon than any other Tory.
And I’ve no doubt that the working class masses of London are quaking today at the “assault” that is about to be launched on them by the man who would abolish bendy buses and allow people with big cars to drive through the city centre. Oooooo.
Jules said,
May 4, 2008 at 11:47 am
The above just reveals your ignorance of the situation then VP.
voltairespriest said,
May 4, 2008 at 11:51 am
Sorry, he could also raise public transport fares and cross picket lines. Oh hang on, that sounds familiar.
Jules said,
May 4, 2008 at 12:01 pm
The cost of public transport is actually considerably lower than prior to livingstone being elected and Johnson is planning a hell of a lot worse for the RMT than telling members to cross lines, he wants a battle. He’ll be going all out to split the membership - deals for some to buy them off, no-strike deals etc.
Also London living wage, affordable social housing, funding for progressive causes etc - what do you think will happen to them under a tory?
voltairespriest said,
May 4, 2008 at 12:16 pm
The first point about fares refers only to people who have an oyster card - as anyone who doesn’t will tell you.
I very much doubt Johnson will abolish the living wage or social housing, although it’s probable that funding for the latter will not be as generous as it would have been under. As for funding for “progressive causes”, it depends what you mean. If it means no more meetings with Yusuf Al-Qaradawi then I’m hardlyt going to be crying into my pillow.
Look, I don’t like Johnson, but I hardly think you can call any of the things you mentioned an “assault on the class” of a drama beyond that provoked by any Tory, anywhere. And that is a far cry from the hysteria which surrounded the Labour campaign in London, as well you know.
Jules said,
May 4, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Yes and virtually everybody who lives in London has an oyster card - as anyone will tell you.
Given that Boris himself opposed the introduction of the minimum wage and tories on LFEPA tried to block the London Living Wage I think it’s entirely reasonable to assume it’s a policy that’s heading straight for the shredder. Unlike Livingstone, Johnson made no commitment to a 50% target for social housing and has spoken out on numerous occasions in favour of selling off council homes.
I think Johnson’s on the right of the tory party - hence his racism and bigotry you are keen to underplay - but he is in essence no different to most tories. But Tories are fucking bad news - even compared to New Labour. A fact we will be forced to acknowedge over the coming years.
voltaires_priest said,
May 4, 2008 at 2:17 pm
No, virtually everyone who lives in London and travels on public transport regularly has one. Furthermore, the various people who don’t live in London but who go there occasionally from other parts of the country (and whose income profile is lower than that of London itself), tend not to, for obvious reasons.
We’ll see about the living wage - I think he won’t undo it (expediency as much as anything), you’ve shrieked back at me that he will. On Livingstone’s “principled” stance on social housing, he has no powers to repeal the law on building of council houses (as opposed to “social housing” that merely puts money in the pockets of RSLs and removes security of tenure from council tenants). Neither does Johnson. Ergo, the difference is between contracts being given to RSLs or property developers. Wow, go progressive Ken.
I think it’s pretty obvious to anyone who’s not as caught up in the hysteria surrounding that campaign that Johnson’s a libertarian right-winger. He’s never pretended to be anything else. Yes, he’s said nasty things in the past around race. He’s not the only one. I think hurling around panic-inducing terms to describe him however, does a disservice to political dialogue and is counterproductive. It also plainly blew back in the faces of Livingstone’s supporters at the ballot box. Unless you think all of Johnson’s voters are “bigots and racists” as well.
modernityblog said,
May 4, 2008 at 2:56 pm
in terms of Johnson’s future conduct, the General Election is a major factor
the Tories want to win at ALL costs, so, I suspect, they’ll tone down the harsh right-wing edges of a Johnson admin, as a PR tool for the later general election.
don’t underestimate these Tory bastards
Jules said,
May 4, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Well VP there’s a name for someone who has said nasty things in the past about race isn’t there? Call things by their proper names and don’t bullshit, to paraphrase Trotsky. No one’s smeared Johnson (if anything the cunt got a ridiculously easy ride) but there has been plently of mud slung at Livingstone by the tories well oiled and financed election campaign and its Evening Standard allies.
Re the living wage - it’s quite simple, the tories opposed it. Re an affordable housing target - Johnson opposes it. All makes sense given that because, as you put it Johnson is a “libertarian right-winger” - that’s the sort of shit they do right?
Further more do you think we can trust Johnson to keep up adequate funding for for womens refuges or anti-racist organisations? Facilities for peace groups? Subsidy for future European Social Forums? I know right wing scum got their knickers in a twist over Livingstone’s support for Chavez but can you imagine who Boris will be hob knobbing with - Burlosconi, Uribe and worse possibly. Not to mention all the favours he’s going to pull for his powerful and wealthy mates. Livingstone’s supposed “cronyism” will be nothing in comparison.
voltaires_priest said,
May 4, 2008 at 3:18 pm
The sheer hysteria of the above comment says it all, before we even get to the smoothing-over of Livingstone’s record (”supposed” cronyism?) or the hysterical denunciation of a term that describes Johnson (he is socially libertarian and economically right wing). What would you prefer? “Evil racist nazi-fascist”? It’s hardly more accurate now, is it?
I told you before - I think Johnson’s a horse’s arse. I wouldn’t have voted for him. But if you want me to get all worked up about the London mayoral election then it just ain’t gonna happen, for all the reasons I’ve already cited.
Jules said,
May 4, 2008 at 3:37 pm
VP - i wasn’t denuncing the term right wing libertarian, I was agreeing with it. Rightwing libertarians tend to support cut backs on social spending do they not? Johnson’s not socially libertarian as you suggest though – he morns the end of the British Empire and opposed the abolition of section 28, I suppose you’ll come up with some apologist bollocks for Johnson’s homophobia now?