London Mayoral Election

At least we will not have Goldsmith going for leader of the Tory party to replace Cameron.

Great article Alea- and yet the one who won doesn't drink beer at all

So proud of London- for seeing past the smear campaigns, the accusations of anti-semitism in the name of anti-islam, and worse. Bravo.

I am surprised Zac allowed himself to be dragged down by racism and poor advice- as his sister says. He is apparently a really nice guy, but educated at Public School, living in Richmond and representing a very small elite .

Not an easy road for Kahn- as he will probably have more trouble with radical Muslims for being an open and modern Muslim with daughters allowed to wear what they like. I wish him the very very best- and lots of courage.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/06/doom-merchants-corbyn-viable-leader-labour

Here's one person who doesn't think Corbyn is a loser.

Riverwalk:

'UKIP?

Neil Hamilton?

Something to be said for first past the post grin

Neil Hamilton??? The mind boggles - I can't get over it!'

I just couldn't believe my ears and eyes! I mean did he now where Wales is before this week? The blatant opportunism of this couple leaves me stunned- do they really have no shame?

i1.wp.com/voxpoliticalonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/160507Offord-charged.jpg

This is interesting. Shows what idiots some Tories can be.

I will reserve judgment for 6 months until the honeymoon is over. The man must be given a chance in London, I only hope that he stays with his manifesto.

Zac could not help his very privileged background but it did not help him in London. He does not have the personality that Boris has.

granjura did Neil Hamilton know where Wales is before this week?

I posted earlier that NH was in fact born in Wales (Blackwood) and bred in Wales (Ammanford as far as I remember)
(Not criticising your post, I don't manage to read them all, too busy!)

So, despite all else anyone can say about him, he is Welsh (that surprised me too).

The gutter Press is having a field day 'London has fallen' and worse.

I know many here say we shouldn't 'judge' people for the newspaper they choose to read daily or regularly. But I never quite understand this- surely people choose to read a paper that represents and reflects their views, overall. If said views were appaling to them, overall, surely they would not read it and switch to another?

Well yes- but how long has it been since he lived in Wales?

Well, I don't know how long but he went to school and university here.
His first name is Mostyn. Perhaps he will revert to that.

I am not defending him btw - just like to get facts straightening!

Jess, I assure you Mid and West Wales are farming areas and farmers in these areas said they want out of Europe . This constituency voted for a Lib, two labour and one UKIP . Not one seat was taken by UKIP on the first vote . Reckless got in on the PR vote in the south but again labour got first vote . Gower which labour lost as the last election was won by labour

No immigrants in Wales ?

Straight - autotext!

Livingstone did stand as an independent first time round, which demonstrates that London Mayors have tended to be voted in on personality and London issues. Some people on here have claimed Khan's win a victory for Corbyn. OK Khan is in the Labour party led by Corbyn, but thats not the main reason people voted for him. I admire Corby's principles on things like the monarchy, but as an opposition leader he needs to make more of the own goals and U- turns the tories are making on a weekly basis.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/06/jeremy-corbyn-leadership-labour-mps-elections

I think #cashforquestions and his dynamic wife will have an interesting time - I can't imagine them being a huge hit if they venture out into the Valleys or beyond though. Lesson one, how to use the simultaneous translation head sets when a Plaid AM is making a speech in Cymraeg.

It will be interesting to see what happens to UKIP after the referendum.
IN: they've lost. They are not going to get another referendum. What's the point?
OUT: they've one. Job done. What's the point in continuing? MEPs panicking because they are about to lose £80pa jobs and looking for other work. Do they re-invent themselves as the anti-immigration party AKA BNP etc?

You are going to tell us that Khan is a closet Tory next!

Sorry, that was to suzy, not you, Jess.

suzied Livingstone was suspended from the Labour party in 2000 after standing as an independent against the official Labour candidate, Frank Dobson in the first Mayoral elections.
After his readmission, as I said in my post of 9.11, , he became the official candidate in 2004.

suzied, how can Corbyn make more of the mess the Tories are making? Cameron refuses to answer questions in PMQ, the majority of the press are Tory . After every PMQ Norman thingy gives his opinion on which scored the most put downs and insults, Corbyn isn't going to come top on insults , he isn't arrogant .

What sickens me at PMQ is the mocking by the Tories when Corbyn asks a question put by a member of the public , this shows the contempt the Tories have for voters - untill there's an election

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/07/zac-goldsmith-racist-campaign-london

This is an interesting article by Owen Jones.
A new phrase in the language, "doing a Zac" should become an insult that most politicians want to avoid.

Off topic, anniebach , I would very much like to hear reactions from London grans to both the campaigns and the result. And without compromising privacy, what their motivating factors were in how they and their neighbours might have voted.

Jen I was just going to put that on. I agree with every word. Both ZG and the Conservative party - let's not forget the awful outburst from the PM in PMQs - should be made to suffer for their campaign so that this is discouraged in the future.

The Conservatives cling fast to nannying with all the "forcing" they have decided to do (and, having realised how childish they are actually being, had to U turn). An old fashioned nanny would have washed some of their mouths out with soap - they have been appalling.

Why would I say Khan was a closet Tory? Seems a bit of twisted logic- and a bit of a smear thanks! I just said Khan won on his merits and London-centric policies first and foremost plus the smear tactics used by the opposition , not because of the Labour leader whoever he or she might be and that has always been the case in London mayoral elections. I know all about Ken Livingstone's political history , thanks, but again he was voted in because he was a charismatic figure, devoted to London and the opposition was weak. Boris won by force of his personality (like it or loathe it) not because the majority of Londoners were enamoured of the Conservatives. The London Mayoral election is much more of a personality-driven election than local council elections, most people won't have a clue who their councillors are, but most people in London will know who the Mayor is.

Zac Goldsmith’s ‘Outrageous’ Anti-Sadiq Khan Campaign Slammed By Senior London Tory Andrew Boff

Hope I am not repeating this but at least one (I am sure there will be more now ) conservative stood out against this pernicious campaign.

The Tories nasty image has had a real polishing over the past few weeks culminating in Cameron at QT this weeks. He is totally abrogating his responsibility asPM when he is required to answer questions put to him by the leader of the opposition representing the majority of the voting population - remember the Tories only represent about 31% of the vote- I don't think he answered a single question , he merely spent the entire time spewing racist propaganda - it really was utterly appalling.

Alea, we have one wanna be moderator, we don't need two

May I suggest you ask London grans to give you the info you want ?