It’s a contest that has been overshadowed by the main Labour leadership race. Even so, worth noting that Labour’s next challenger for London mayor is going to be Ken Livingstone. The result was announced 30 seconds ago by Harriet Harman. I’m not sure that Boris Johnson will be kept sleepless by the news, given that his popularity remains pretty high.
For all Ken’s qualities he is likely to be seen as yesterday’s man. (The 65-year old was mayor from 2000 to 2008 and first joined Lambeth Borough Council in 1971.)
Livingstone picked up 69 per cent of the votes, Oona King got 31 per cent. The contest takes place in 2012 and will be a key test of public opinion mid-way through the parliament.
Johnson is still thought to harbour bigger Westminster-based ambitions but he declared earlier this month his intention to stand for a second four-year term.
Jim Pickard
Kiran Stacey