Ken, Boris or Brian? the choice is yours

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Tarih	: 28 Nisan 2008 12:16

Analysis by Ramis Cizer

THERE is little doubt that charisma, or having the property of, is a requisite in being Mayor of London (or any other top political position for that matter). In representing a city as diverse as London, taking the lead on issues and being able to inspire impetus in cultural matters is probably as important as the £11 billion budget that the mayor presides over. It is no wonder then that in the run up to the elections next week attacks on the personality of the two major candidates for the position, current Mayor Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson, has been under as much scrutiny as their ability to make important decisions in a sober manner.

Brian Paddick seems to have lacked that personal magic to inspire mass popular loyalty; which has been a shame for a three horse race, including someone of his experience in policing, an issue that has come up time again during the race, would have added some much needed context to a whirlwind that is the Boris-Livingstone show.

Livingstone, who admitted a tickle or two in the morning to clear his throat, has has had his 'drunken' record attacked - most notably by the Evening Standard, to the degree that even the most loyal Standard reader is beginning to question the legitimacy of the articles that have smeared the mayor so effectively. One thing that remains intact for the mayor, and which may (emphasis added) be his saving grace come the May 1 vote, is his championing of the minority.

Boris on the other hand has little record at all when it comes executive decisions, after voting once as MP during the whole of Livingstone's eight-year tenure as Mayor. His 'light-hearted' comments that have caused offence to a few (slight understatement) but his energy and flamboyance seem to carry him above his past in an almost prophetic manner. He's a well-oiled media machine, helped by the fact that he has a few media friends - a factor that is likely to see him crowned as new mayor.

But what of policy? At times separating the two has been like trying to master a rubric cube with the two candidate's faces imposed on the cube to replace the colours. At every turn we find that we have as much Boris in the policy as we do Ken. There has been an eagerness on their behalf, especially Boris,  to look as if there is a new idea being proposed. Ken has been caught by his wind of change it seems, though he has made reference to the 'good work' that he has already done, pointing to the extra money he has made available as part of his youth fund.

With youth crime, in light of the fatal deaths across London in the past year, seemingly spreading uncontrollably, crime has been a issue hotly debated. Boris Johnson has been most notably eager to highlight the current moral anxiety being experienced by the masses. And he's probably right, there is much work to be done in this field.

Something's been lost in this process however and that thing is the fact that there are teams and people across London doing good work with regard to London's youth. Listening to Johnson propound his promise for a 'New' Mayors Fund which will appeal to the better nature of corporate companies in donating to causes to help youth and the Livingstone saying that he would gladly steal this idea because it is good one, gives the impression that there is nothing out there that currently focuses on London's youth. Boris Johnson has said that he would make youth do community work in order to pay for their misdeeds - but this is already happening in every council across the land. Youth Offending Teams (YOT), belonging to each council, have reparation orders and prevention schemes that are working diligently to fill the moral gap left in society that the youth of today seem to be stuck in. Yes, surprising as it may seem, kids do currently have their bus passes taken away from them if they abuse them and yes they do have to repay anyone that may have been harmed by their over zealous and sometimes abusive behaviour.

There are positives that have come out of this Boris-Livingstone show however. More people are likely to vote come May 1 and the importance of community groups and the restoration of a social moral fabric is high on the political agenda. Whether this restoration requires a heavy handed mayor or a softer one is likely to be the fundamental decision the electorate will have to take - if indeed they care for crime or the youth of today.

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