All this just proves the nonsense of a directly elected Mayor for London. .
I fully support directly elected mayors. Every town and city should have one, certainly every large city should.
I read in my local paper this week that my town has a new mayor. Someone I've never heard of, didn't vote for and have no say in. The councillors just pass the golden chain around every year to whoever is next in line. How democratic is that?
Where have I challenged your right to have and express an opinion? Oh yeah, that's right - nowhere. If you're going to respond to my posts, at least do me the courtesy of reading them first.
And where did I say you did challenge my right to express an opinion?
Oh yeah, that's right - nowhere, if you are going to respond to my posts (as well as accusing me of saying something I didn't ) at least do me the courtesy of reading them first,
You give enough of a toss to make sure that everyone knows you don't give a toss.
Which although not directly saying that I have no right to an opinion, is clearly a 'dig' at me for choosing to express said opinion.
I respond to your CLEAR criticism of me expressing my opinion with.
Yip indeedy, it's called having an opinion and exercising one's right to express that opinion, I do hope that's OK with you,
However, I DID consult my trusty give-a-toss-ometer just incase you don't agree that I have an equal right to give an opinion just to see how I should feel about your opinion either way, and guess what it registered?
See, I never said that you said I don't have the right to express an opinion, I said "just in case"
So please do me the courtesy etc etc.
Dont think London is ready for a Mayor who thinks Black mothers are better than White or Asian mothers or a Mayor who thinks is ok to be homophobic if its part of your culture or religion. Does London really need a Mayor who spent her life campaigning to stop parents sending their children to private school then sends her own son to a private school.
Actually the only "opinion" you expressed was the fact that you don't have an "opinion" which in my "opinion" is a bit of a waste of an "opinion".
Not that I would object to your right not to have an "opinion" of course.
I very much respect your opinion that I have the right not to have an opinion, although I don't agree that it's a waste of an opinion, as I believe that not having an opinion on a topic is just as valid an opinion as the opinion of someone who DOES have an opinion.
All this just proves the nonsense of a directly elected Mayor for London. You need to be a 'name' to have a chance of succeeding in the primary here. The Ken Livingston who took over the leadership of the GLC in the early eighties wouldn't have got anywhere near its latter day equivalent today.
Abbott would be like Johnson, someone in charge because they like being Mayor, rather than wanting to be make changes that make a real difference in the areas they actually control such as transport. What's Johnson done other than (a) foisting an expensive new bus design (and one that needs conductors) on to Londoners or (b) implementing Livingston ideas such as the so-called 'Boris' bikes.
At least Boris has a sense of humour, unlike Diane who is as humourous as The Back Death!
Which although not directly saying that I have no right to an opinion, is clearly a 'dig' at me for choosing to express said opinion.
No it isn't. It's merely pointing out the inconsistency of claiming you don't give a toss about a subject when you've taken the time and effort to tell everyone what your stance on said subject is.
Which you'd know if you had bothered to read it properly.
Diane Abbott would be a terrible candidate for Labour. Utterly terrible.
I probably wouldn't ever vote Labour but I rather like Tessa Jowell, and she seems to divide opinion far less than the other proposed candidates. Given her association with the 2012 Olympics she'd be the ideal candidate for London Mayor. Which is exactly why Labour won't pick her.
I fully support directly elected mayors. Every town and city should have one, certainly every large city should.
I read in my local paper this week that my town has a new mayor. Someone I've never heard of, didn't vote for and have no say in. The councillors just pass the golden chain around every year to whoever is next in line. How democratic is that?
Mayors that aren't directly elected are the council equivalent of the Speaker. They merely chair meetings of the whole council.
Would you support us ditching the PM and having a directly elected one with executive power and where the House of Commons would be no more than a scrutiny committee? If you do not then why do you think it is acceptable for local authorities?
Mayors that aren't directly elected are the council equivalent of the Speaker. They merely chair meetings of the whole council.
Would you support us ditching the PM and having a directly elected one with executive power and where the House of Commons would be no more than a scrutiny committee? If you do not then why do you think it is acceptable for local authorities?
Well, if the Mayor was the leader of the largest party on a local council I might understand it but the way it works is just a game of Buggins's turn rather than through any merit.
Go to any town in the US and tell them that they shouldn't have a directly elected mayor and they'd laugh at you.
Well, if the Mayor was the leader of the largest party on a local council I might understand it but the way it works is just a game of Buggins's turn rather than through any merit.
Go to any town in the US and tell them that they shouldn't have a directly elected mayor and they'd laugh at you.
The leader of the largest party, when they are in the majority, is the leader of the council: appoints the Cabinet, makes the decisions. The mayorship is an inoffensive post given to long servers and who are non-political during the time they hold the post: its about being the ceremonial rather than the political face of the council. eg the Lord Mayor of the City of London.
That news might just encourage Boris Johnson to run again. Not only would a Boris vs Diane election be a wonderful gaffe-tastic event, but he would be sure to win. Tessa Jowell may not be the most exciting politician but at least she would be a reasonable candidate, is less likely to turn voters off and won admirers on all sides over the work she did with the Olympics.
Every single person mentioned in the article is a guaranteed loser. Would Labour now stop working as the Boris Johnson fan club and find someone who will guarantee that the disgusting twerp is kicked out. Thanks ever so.
I would rather vote for Diane Abbott than Tessa Jowell.
Ha, neither of them have a hope !
In my opinion Diane Abbott is a hypocritical, chip-on-the-shoulder racist herself. She pretends to be on the left of the Labour Party as it suits her constituency and keeps her in a job. She despises selective education yet benefitted from a selective Grammar School education herself (Harrow County Grammar School for Girls) then decided to send her son to one of the top private schools in London (City of London) just to rub it in that some are more equal than others.
She is on record as saying in a tweet, "White people love playing 'divide and rule'. We should not play their game" and was almost sacked for it choosing instead to give a squirming apology.
If both these two are nominated then the Tory candidate, whoever it may be, will win. They could nominate Boris's brother Jo, or how about Jeremy Paxman or Steve Allen?
Well as a 'Labour supporter' I decided to consult my trusty 'give-a-toss-ometer' as to who I think should get the gig,
The result seems to indicate that either my trusty 'give-a-toss-ometer' is broken or is actually registering a big fat zero
In terms of media exposure and PR, the London mayor job is probably the biggest gig outside Downing street and you don't care that one of your parties biggest liabilities is in the mix? Sorry, but I'm struggling to believe you I'm afraid.
Like him or loathe him Boris has a character that people warm to. Where cabinet ministers were getting boos and whistles during the Olympics the crowd response to Boris couldn't have been any different. People were chanting his name ffs!!
Abbott only has two sides to her character, smug and condescending and unlike Boris hasn't got a charm offensive mode to turn to. I can't think of a worse possible candidate to thrust into the media spotlight than Abbott. She's a PR disaster just waiting to happen for the party.
Comments
I fully support directly elected mayors. Every town and city should have one, certainly every large city should.
I read in my local paper this week that my town has a new mayor. Someone I've never heard of, didn't vote for and have no say in. The councillors just pass the golden chain around every year to whoever is next in line. How democratic is that?
And where did I say you did challenge my right to express an opinion?
Oh yeah, that's right - nowhere, if you are going to respond to my posts (as well as accusing me of saying something I didn't ) at least do me the courtesy of reading them first,
You said.
Which although not directly saying that I have no right to an opinion, is clearly a 'dig' at me for choosing to express said opinion.
I respond to your CLEAR criticism of me expressing my opinion with.
See, I never said that you said I don't have the right to express an opinion, I said "just in case"
So please do me the courtesy etc etc.
;-)
I very much respect your opinion that I have the right not to have an opinion, although I don't agree that it's a waste of an opinion, as I believe that not having an opinion on a topic is just as valid an opinion as the opinion of someone who DOES have an opinion.
In MY opinion anyway.
;-)
At least Boris has a sense of humour, unlike Diane who is as humourous as The Back Death!
London, though would be doomed. Everything tits up.
Rather like having Boris as Mayor then!
Oh dear - maybe we should just call it The Plague.
Actually, come to think of it yes.
Which you'd know if you had bothered to read it properly.
I probably wouldn't ever vote Labour but I rather like Tessa Jowell, and she seems to divide opinion far less than the other proposed candidates. Given her association with the 2012 Olympics she'd be the ideal candidate for London Mayor. Which is exactly why Labour won't pick her.
Mayors that aren't directly elected are the council equivalent of the Speaker. They merely chair meetings of the whole council.
Would you support us ditching the PM and having a directly elected one with executive power and where the House of Commons would be no more than a scrutiny committee? If you do not then why do you think it is acceptable for local authorities?
Well, if the Mayor was the leader of the largest party on a local council I might understand it but the way it works is just a game of Buggins's turn rather than through any merit.
Go to any town in the US and tell them that they shouldn't have a directly elected mayor and they'd laugh at you.
The leader of the largest party, when they are in the majority, is the leader of the council: appoints the Cabinet, makes the decisions. The mayorship is an inoffensive post given to long servers and who are non-political during the time they hold the post: its about being the ceremonial rather than the political face of the council. eg the Lord Mayor of the City of London.
So do you believe in a directly elected PM?
Yes but Boris can get away with it because he has charm. Diane doesn't.
Ha, neither of them have a hope !
In my opinion Diane Abbott is a hypocritical, chip-on-the-shoulder racist herself. She pretends to be on the left of the Labour Party as it suits her constituency and keeps her in a job. She despises selective education yet benefitted from a selective Grammar School education herself (Harrow County Grammar School for Girls) then decided to send her son to one of the top private schools in London (City of London) just to rub it in that some are more equal than others.
She is on record as saying in a tweet, "White people love playing 'divide and rule'. We should not play their game" and was almost sacked for it choosing instead to give a squirming apology.
If both these two are nominated then the Tory candidate, whoever it may be, will win. They could nominate Boris's brother Jo, or how about Jeremy Paxman or Steve Allen?
I doubt there could be a single day without one insulting the electorate while the other makes hay and compounds that insult a day later.
In terms of media exposure and PR, the London mayor job is probably the biggest gig outside Downing street and you don't care that one of your parties biggest liabilities is in the mix? Sorry, but I'm struggling to believe you I'm afraid.
Like him or loathe him Boris has a character that people warm to. Where cabinet ministers were getting boos and whistles during the Olympics the crowd response to Boris couldn't have been any different. People were chanting his name ffs!!
Abbott only has two sides to her character, smug and condescending and unlike Boris hasn't got a charm offensive mode to turn to. I can't think of a worse possible candidate to thrust into the media spotlight than Abbott. She's a PR disaster just waiting to happen for the party.
I kinda hope she does get the gig