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03/05/2008, 9:52 Quillan Joined on 23/08/2004 Forum Moderator Posts 3,625 New London Mayor Well is he a buffoon or not, that is the question. Well obviously the majority of the 45% of those Londoners that bothered to turn out (the largest amount for several elections they say) and vote don't think so or do they? Did they vote for him because they see him as the best 'man' for the job or is this a protest vote against Labour especially after the recent problems (getting rid of the 10p tax etc). A close friend of 'Red' Ken said that Livingston thought he was a buffoon initially but after reading his speech's early on and looking at his past speech's he took him very seriously. Ken took all the blame for loosing but then should he or was he shot in the food by Gorden and his governmental policies. I guess whatever we (I'm an ex Londoner) think the proof will be in the next 12 months and then of course later on when the next mayoral election takes place. Personally I think Boris's buffoonery is just an act to make him appear human which has worked rather well but then we will see. http://www.chambresdhote.com    Report

03/05/2008, 10:09 nectarine Joined on 02/08/2007 Lot-et-Garonne Posts 225 Re: New London Mayor well I was working as a poll clerk at one of the polling stations in Surrey where our region didn't have a mayoral vote, only voting for the local council.  I was surprised at the amount of people who came in and expressed surprise or anger that our area wouldn't have a chance to vote for the London Mayor, since the mayoral policies don't just affect central London but also the suburbs around that are full of commuters who travel in there to work.  Without exception, all of the voters who came to my desk and asked if they had a mayoral vote then said that they wanted Ken out, as he had effectively driven the commuters away.  They couldn't drive in to London (and suburban train services can be patchy in the evenings and at weekends) and that was a big issue, especially with the planned increase in congestion charge.  Many of them had to take a vehicle in (vans, etc.) for building work and they said they were just being priced out.  However, there is a surcharge on our council rates for pay for the mayor, so we have to pay but don't get any say in the vote!    So, regardless of what central Londoners think, I believe there may be rejoicing in the suburbs - not for the vote for Boris but for the fact that Ken is now out! If you look like your passport picture, then you probably need the holiday.    Report

03/05/2008, 10:14 now just john Joined on 28/04/2005 Montignac le coq Posts 370 Re: New London Mayor Take a look at the Euro this morning, that should tell you something.  Going . . .   Going . . . . .    Report

03/05/2008, 11:38 Dick Smith Joined on 23/08/2004 Surrey and Manche (Pays Mortainais) Posts 8,775 Re: New London Mayor  nectarine wrote: well I was working as a poll clerk at one of the polling stations in Surrey where our region didn't have a mayoral vote, only voting for the local council.  I was surprised at the amount of people who came in and expressed surprise or anger that our area wouldn't have a chance to vote for the London Mayor, since the mayoral policies don't just affect central London but also the suburbs around that are full of commuters who travel in there to work.  Without exception, all of the voters who came to my desk and asked if they had a mayoral vote then said that they wanted Ken out, as he had effectively driven the commuters away.  They couldn't drive in to London (and suburban train services can be patchy in the evenings and at weekends) and that was a big issue, especially with the planned increase in congestion charge.  Many of them had to take a vehicle in (vans, etc.) for building work and they said they were just being priced out.  However, there is a surcharge on our council rates for pay for the mayor, so we have to pay but don't get any say in the vote!    So, regardless of what central Londoners think, I believe there may be rejoicing in the suburbs - not for the vote for Boris but for the fact that Ken is now out! So the running of London is about some Surrey van drivers (and what a lovely bunch they are - not) being made to pay the congestion charge like everybody else? Stunning political analysis... Regards Dick Smith Nowhere is there warmth to be found Among those afraid of losing their ground    Report

03/05/2008, 11:42 Baz Joined on 23/08/2004 Posts 1,001 Re: New London Mayor Ken didn't stand a chance with it being St Boris day in France yesterday. Baz    Report

03/05/2008, 16:28 Judith Joined on 01/02/2006 Posts 253 Re: New London Mayor  Quillan wrote: Well is he a buffoon or not, that is the question. .......  A close friend of 'Red' Ken said that Livingston thought he was a buffoon initially but after reading his speech's early on and looking at his past speech's he took him very seriously. Not ..... idiot he is not. I always reckoned that his flaxen tresses hid an intellect very well disguised,  but no doubt we must wait and see.  Whilst I suspect all that has been said re taxes etc had an impact, 8 years in such a job is quite long enough - defintely time for a change.  Shame I 'm now not likely to stay in London long enough to benefit!! Judith W1 and Aude    Report

03/05/2008, 18:22 LyndaandRichard Joined on 01/05/2005 Posts 845 Re: New London Mayor I want to see him as pm of England. It's about time we had some characters to became the headpiece of countries. It's been rather stale since the Thatcher, Reagan, Hawkin, Gorby years. Grey, faceless pm's like Major, Blair and Brown with zero personality have made politics even more boring. And if you watch Yes Minister, you will know that it's civil servants who run the country anyway.... Your Property in France    Report

03/05/2008, 18:33 Marym2 Joined on 23/08/2004 london/brittany Posts 109 Re: New London Mayor Well done Boris, and a few other too. Like a lot of people I voted for Boris as it was scandel after scandel (re Jasper) as well as the way this EX Mayor who for me has been a joke for many years, now he is out, lets hope Boris gets rid of a few things that the EX mayor forced on us in London. Wish he would give France the Games as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    Report

03/05/2008, 19:44 Cathy Joined on 07/03/2006 Mostly near Bordeaux; Sometimes near Bristol Posts 1,703 Re: New London Mayor Have a look at his website. http://www.boris-johnson.com/ His books are fascinating and show his intellect.  He is not a buffoon.  "Lend me your ears" is a collection of his Telegraph articles.  I read it about 3 years ago and was hooked.  From then on, I would read his articles in the Thursday edition of the paper or online.  The Barclay Bros paid him £250,000 per year for his writings.  You don't pay that kind of money to an idiot. 'Dream of Rome' is an interesting study and as you read it, you can hear his voice dictating it - it contains his speech mannerisms.  It has some absorbing analogies between the Roman Empire and the EU.  Take a look at the customer reviews of this book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dream-Rome-Boris-Johnson/   Cathy ----- Your children won't remember you ironing their pyjamas but they will remember you reading them a bedside story.    Report

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