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David Lammy's mayoralty move will enhance debate about London's future David Lammy's mayoral move will enhance debate about London's future
(1 day later)
David Lammy’s declaration that he wants to be Labour’s candidate in the London mayoral election of 2016 makes the Tottenham MP the second hopeful to formally enter the contest, joining transport commentator Christian Wolmar. Both will increase the quality and breadth of the debate as it gathers pace in the months ahead.David Lammy’s declaration that he wants to be Labour’s candidate in the London mayoral election of 2016 makes the Tottenham MP the second hopeful to formally enter the contest, joining transport commentator Christian Wolmar. Both will increase the quality and breadth of the debate as it gathers pace in the months ahead.
Wolmar is more radical and green in his specialist field than other possible contenders and has recruited a strong team. Lammy, who’s had an image makeover including ditching his studious specs, is positioning himself as a centrist personification of upward mobility and as an independent thinker, aware that this did Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson no harm.Wolmar is more radical and green in his specialist field than other possible contenders and has recruited a strong team. Lammy, who’s had an image makeover including ditching his studious specs, is positioning himself as a centrist personification of upward mobility and as an independent thinker, aware that this did Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson no harm.
In the past he’s presented himself as the enemy of a certain sort of liberal on parental discipline and London slang (“‘innit’ and ‘izzit’ won’t get you a job”). In his new report on London’s housing woes he (again) breaks the cross-party taboo against exploring building homes on parts of the greenbelt. In an assured interview on London Live he argued that rent caps and a shake-up of council tax bands are in line with the policies of Merkel and Bloomberg rather than wildly left wing.In the past he’s presented himself as the enemy of a certain sort of liberal on parental discipline and London slang (“‘innit’ and ‘izzit’ won’t get you a job”). In his new report on London’s housing woes he (again) breaks the cross-party taboo against exploring building homes on parts of the greenbelt. In an assured interview on London Live he argued that rent caps and a shake-up of council tax bands are in line with the policies of Merkel and Bloomberg rather than wildly left wing.
Wolmar has welcomed Lammy to the contest, but the newcomer is already taking flack from others in his party for breaking cover before the general election. The polish of his first day performance has been noted. Party protocols aside, though, it’s in London’s interest for a wide and varied collection of Labour contenders to be heard. Wolmar and Lammy are seeking to carve out distinctive approaches. It will be good to compare these with those of others interested in standing, especially the pair considered the likely front runners, Tessa Jowell and Sadiq Khan.Wolmar has welcomed Lammy to the contest, but the newcomer is already taking flack from others in his party for breaking cover before the general election. The polish of his first day performance has been noted. Party protocols aside, though, it’s in London’s interest for a wide and varied collection of Labour contenders to be heard. Wolmar and Lammy are seeking to carve out distinctive approaches. It will be good to compare these with those of others interested in standing, especially the pair considered the likely front runners, Tessa Jowell and Sadiq Khan.
Jowell, a dedicated Blairite who is to step down as MP for Dulwich and West Norwood next year, said in the wake of Mayor Johnson’s decision to seek a seat in parliament that she is preparing a “potential offer to Londoners”. Tooting MP Khan, of the Ed Miliband left, has the advantage of being his party’s shadow spokesperson on London and the (so far, successful) organiser of its election campaigns in the capital.Jowell, a dedicated Blairite who is to step down as MP for Dulwich and West Norwood next year, said in the wake of Mayor Johnson’s decision to seek a seat in parliament that she is preparing a “potential offer to Londoners”. Tooting MP Khan, of the Ed Miliband left, has the advantage of being his party’s shadow spokesperson on London and the (so far, successful) organiser of its election campaigns in the capital.
Both have said that next year’s national poll must come first, with Khan even declining to take part in a London fringe debate at Labour’s forthcoming conference. Both will hope that their displays of abstinence play well with the “selectorate” when it makes its choice, as Lammy’s early move will enhance his public visibility.Both have said that next year’s national poll must come first, with Khan even declining to take part in a London fringe debate at Labour’s forthcoming conference. Both will hope that their displays of abstinence play well with the “selectorate” when it makes its choice, as Lammy’s early move will enhance his public visibility.
That selectorate will comprise London Labour Party members, opted-in members of affiliated unions and a third group to be known as “registered supporters” comprising non party members of the public who will pay an as yet undecided fee essentially in order to have a vote in the choice of candidate. Final detail of the contest of yet to be worked out, but it will take place next year, beginning after the general election and ending by September.That selectorate will comprise London Labour Party members, opted-in members of affiliated unions and a third group to be known as “registered supporters” comprising non party members of the public who will pay an as yet undecided fee essentially in order to have a vote in the choice of candidate. Final detail of the contest of yet to be worked out, but it will take place next year, beginning after the general election and ending by September.
Much about this primary arrangement - as Lammy has calculated - favours Khan, who is also shadow justice minister. He’s to the left of his party’s political centre which aligns him with much of its London grassroots, with whom he’s been working closely in his campaign co-ordination role. He’s also been cultivating union support.Much about this primary arrangement - as Lammy has calculated - favours Khan, who is also shadow justice minister. He’s to the left of his party’s political centre which aligns him with much of its London grassroots, with whom he’s been working closely in his campaign co-ordination role. He’s also been cultivating union support.
Jowell, however, may well be seen by some as a more likely winner of the mayoral election itself, especially if the Tories come up with someone formidable to follow Johnson, thanks to a personal popularity stemming largely from her close association with the 2012 Olympics. And Lammy is surely aware that a candidate who can speak effectively over the heads of activists to the wider London public could build a persuasive momentum, including the signing up of significant numbers of sympathetic “registered supporters”.Jowell, however, may well be seen by some as a more likely winner of the mayoral election itself, especially if the Tories come up with someone formidable to follow Johnson, thanks to a personal popularity stemming largely from her close association with the 2012 Olympics. And Lammy is surely aware that a candidate who can speak effectively over the heads of activists to the wider London public could build a persuasive momentum, including the signing up of significant numbers of sympathetic “registered supporters”.
The policy ideas for London of all of the above and other possible participants in the Labour primary, such as Diane Abbott, Andrew Adonis and Margaret Hodge, are of interest to this blog. So are the ideas of its readers. Lots more on this to come.The policy ideas for London of all of the above and other possible participants in the Labour primary, such as Diane Abbott, Andrew Adonis and Margaret Hodge, are of interest to this blog. So are the ideas of its readers. Lots more on this to come.