By Liam Twomey, Jasmine Marsh, Freddy Mayhew and Helena Hickey, at Olympia
RICHARD Tracey has hailed Boris Johnson’s personality as the decisive difference in the London Mayoral race – and urged Ken Livingstone to retire.
Tracey was returned as the London Assembly member for Merton and Wandsworth, holding off a determined challenge from Labour candidate Leonie Cooper.
But the 4.5% swing to Labour in his constituency does not appear to have been repeated in the race for mayor, with Johnson forecast to return to City Hall for a second term later today.
“Boris has a very special personality,” said Tracey.
“We had him outside Clapham Junction station at six o’clock in the evening the other night and he was absolutely mobbed.
“He’s got that popstar, Premier League footballer-style appeal. What’s more interesting is he appeals to all ages, and different genders and creeds.
“He is also very good at pitching his policies at the other parties. He doesn’t just stick with the plain Conservative message, and on occasion he does criticise the Government.”
POWER COUPLE: Boris Johnson and Conservative London Assembly member Richard Tracey
Johnson has vowed to serve a full four-year term despite speculation linking him to a future run as Conservative Party leader.
And his ability to split the vote – getting Labour supporters to back him in the mayoral vote but stay with the party in Assembly races – is certainly interesting and damning for former mayor Ken Livingstone.
His 40-year career as a political force in London, starting as a Lambeth councillor, moving onto the Greater London Council and then serving as an MP and eight years as mayor, now appears over.
At 66 it appears unlikely that a politician famed for his comebacks will get another chance.
“But the other half of it is that Ken Livingstone is, essentially, past it,” added Tracey.
“He’s always got the same old message. I don’t know who else Labour had to choose from, but clearly they need to think hard before they select next time around.
“I think Ken has got to go into retirement – he’s past it as a politician. I’ve known him for many years, and I think in his broadcasting he’s tried to be a lot more amenable to people than he is in politics.
“He could never build up the same level of public persona as Boris, because he doesn’t have the sense of humour. Boris’ sense of humour really appeals to the young voters.”
