The Standard sends mixed messages to Boris' rivals

The Evening Standard is very critical of Boff, Borwick and Lightfoot in its leader today:

"It sounded like a good idea at the time: the Tory plans for an open, democratic, X-factor-style mayoral contest to determine who would run against Ken Livingstone. In fact, this exciting approach delivered a line-up of candidates who, whatever their personal merits, are woefully unimpressive as heavyweight politicians. It must be painful for the Tories to consider how quickly Ken Livingstone would have seen off any of the original candidates - Warwick Lightfoot, Victoria Borwick or Andrew Boff - had Boris Johnson not rescued the party at the 11th hour by stepping into the ring. It remains to be seen whether Boris can indeed pull off this election but the Tories mst be thankful that in the mayoral primaries at least, it's no contest."

But in introducing a Q&A with the three of them further on in the paper, City Hall Editor Ross Lydall says:

"The performances of Andrew Boff, Victoria Borwick and Warwick Lightfoot at hustings meetings have surprised many and left Tories with a real choice. All have long experience of London politics, in contrast to Mr Johnson, who despite his higher profile has been criticised for getting his facts wrong on subjects such as cyclist fatalities."

They were asked where they lived, if they'd taken cannabis, what the last CD they bought was etc. These were the most political questions:

What will be your first priority if elected Mayor?

AB - Remodelling the government of London to make it much more democratic. Ken Livingstone is an overcentralising Mayor

VB - I would ask the Met Commissioner what we are going to do about crime hot spots.

WL - Start with a zero-based budget to get value for moeny at City Hall and commission a plan for the investment in transport and flood defences for the next 40yrs.

What are your Tory credentials?

AB - I joined the party in Uxbridge  when I was 15. I was a councillor from 1982 to 1994, leader of Hillingdon council from 1990 to 1992 and Parliamentary candidate for Hornsey in 1992. I have been the Euro candidate in Greenwich, Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham and I took a seat from Labour in Hackney in 2005.

VB - I joined in the Seventies. I have been a Kensignton & Chelsea councillor for six years. I worked at Central Office and was Steve Norris's running mate in 2000.

WL -  I joined when I was 15 or 16. I have been a Kensington & Chelsea councillor since 1986. I stood for Parliament in Liverpool Mossley Hill and South East Cornwall. I was special adviser to three Chancellors: Nigel Lawson, John Major and Norman Lamont.

What is your unique selling point?

AB - I can present Tory plans and policies in language that Londoners can understand.

VB - I'm a Londoner with very clear ideas about what needs to be done.

WL - I have the experience, expertise and skills to deliver an agenda of public service reform based on value for money.

Comments

[Malcolm Dunn]

Rather lazy journalism from the Standard in my opinion.Boris is much better known than the other 3 ,that does not mean that he would necessarily make a better mayor.

[Ismail]

I'll have Boris any day of the week than Communist Red Ken. If we have someone who has the ideals of Lord Tebbitt, then London will benefit as a result.

[MHDH]

You make a very fair point re. The Standard. What struck me as odd was that the implicit point was how impressive the others were in terms of policy and performance. Still, Boris will get the nomination sadly and Londoners will have suffer Ken for another 4 years. Johnson hasn't a hope in hell.

[Graeme Archer]

Please bear in mind that the last time The Standard said anything positive about any Conservative was c. 1922. It's a vile anti-Tory newspaper which is about the last place left on Earth that the Lib-Dems get puffed.

I bet Andrew's pleased about that picture!

[london conservative]

Why doesn't Boris Johnson feel the need to learn facts, and get them right? It kind of seems like he just can't be bothered.

Victoria and Warwick lack experience and gravitas but at least they and Andrew Boff are putting some serious effort into this.

The real election is a lot more hardwork than this somewhat bizarre "primary."

[Richard]

"VB - I'm a Londoner with very clear ideas about what needs to be done."

That's hardly unique. I would imagine that most London taxi drivers would describe themselves this way as well.

[C List and Proud]

I have to say, the party machine has hardly done itself any favours by downgrading this to a sideshow. I think Graham Archer said it was a missed opportunity in the dog days of August to get the media interested while nobody else was around, but it was fluffed and yet again, the Standard did not report the fact that every Londoner could vote. What is the press officer responsible for this doing?

Boris has of course been wholly disappointing as his, make-it-up-as-I-go-along style has been exposed at every hustings as a recipe for disaster. Should he win, Livingstone will take him apart.

As for the Standard, Nick Cohen - famously left-wing - is scathing of Livingstone and his chumming up to the homophobic islamist cleric. I doubt he will vote for us, but I suspect that's one gay, jewish vote which won't tick the Livingstone box either first or second come May next year. Let's hope there are many more so Mr Boff sails home!