Cameron backs Boris

At a community centre crowded with enthusiastic Tory activists in Enfield, North London, David Cameron has just introduced Boris Johnson at the formal launch of his bid to oust Ken Livingstone as London Mayor.  The choice of Edmonton communicates the importance of the outer boroughs to Boris' hopes but also the neighbourhood has seen four murders of young people in recent times.  Before arriving at the launch Mr Johnson had spent some time with the parents of one of the murder victims.  Fighting crime would be his top priority as Mayor, he promised.

All three speakers at the event - social entrepreneur Ray Lewis, the Conservative leader and Boris Johnson himself - targeted Ken Livingstone's indifference to London's real problems:

• Ray Lewis attacked Ken Livingstone's 'if it bleeds, it leads' remarks and said City Hall had been indifferent to London's deepest problems.
• David Cameron said that Ken Livingstone had lost touch - his administration was badly run, it was bogged down with corruption investigations, he pursued minority causes and he'd given up his independent status and was now part of Labour's failed oversight of London.
• Boris Johnson talked about an '8am expression' on Londoners' faces - not an expression of anger but of resignation - of a belief that tube delays and crime and London's other problems were somehow inevitable.

David Cameron said that London shouldn't be resigned to its current problems.  He pointed to New York's success at beating crime, Munich's revolutionary approach to urban transport and Marseille's provision of extra green space as models for London's future.  London needs new leadership more than anything else, said the Tory leader, and said that Boris Johnson would provide that leadership.  Mr Cameron said that he didn't agree with Mr Johnson on everything (Boris asked him to tell him where their differences were!) but he was twice as energetic and charismatic as Livingstone.  He was, he continued, a proper Conservative: his own man, practical, open-minded and someone able to get things done.

Boris' speech consisted of an overview of his main campaign themes including a radical solution to Heathrow, a promise to 'oysterise' the River Thames and replace bendy buses, 440 extra police support officers for London's buses, more money for social action groups from the London Development Agency and a new Mayor's Fund that will encourage London's wealth creators to give back to the city.

Security was his main theme.  Security, he insisted, was the basis of prosperity and community.  He wanted to build a London where we all let our kids walk to school and play in the park.

The latest poll for the Evening Standard has Boris 10% ahead... but nothing can be taken for granted.  If you want to ensure Ken Livingstone is ousted please visit BackBoris.com.  No excuses for those outside of London; money is needed too!

Comments

[Serf]

Cameron backs Boris

Well thats a surprise. Mind you at least on our team the captain means it.

[George Reynolds]

I think we need to be careful here. The key difference in this poll is that 'others' are beginning to register for the first time. Each of the polls that we have had so far have given others very low result - sometimes 0% - and this is very unrealistic in an election where other parties have historically done quite well. This combined with the fact that 17% of voters are undecided on which way to vote means that some of the underlying numbers maybe very volatile and may change quite significantly before polling day. Also, we need to be similarly cautious on second preferences. The fact that the poll shows Boris Johnson is getting more second preferences to Livingstone does not necessarily imply that he is ahead on second preferences. The real number is those people who say they will vote,Paddick,Berry and will vote for Johnson as their second preference. That may give very different results to the headline question on second preferences. I still think this poll is positive for Johnson but there are reasons not to be complacent in these numbers.

[Tony Makara]

After the class-ridden abuse that Boris has had to endure from the likes of Hazel Blears I'm really pleased to see him doing so well in the polls. The type of character assaination aimed at Boris has been disgusting and not something I would expect to hear from politicians of ministerial rank. It just goes to show that our country is being run by nasty class-bigots. When Boris becomes mayor it will be one in the eye for Blears and Co.

[elvis parker]

I happened to watch Parli channel last night - debate on policing in London in the Commons recently. Andrew Slaughter and Lab MP after Lab MP attacking Boris - little mention of policing!
Boris certainly has them worried. Go Boris!

[Edison Smith]

elvis parker -

Andrew S-Laughter is a nincompoop and will be spanked by Shaun Bailey in Hammersmith.

No room for complacency. Get out there and leaflet for Boris.

[sjm]

I was at the launch today, partly out of interest because I've never seen Cameron 'live'; so, two impressions:

1. Boris was serious, focussed and seems to have found his feet.

2. Cameron was very, very impressive - he came across as utterly self-possessed without being arrogant, and oddly enough, as a quietly tough character. This was not done with posturing or ham acting, he just gave the impression of someone who knows where he's going and no-one and nothing is going to get in his way. It's a different kind of leadership, but it is definitely leadership.

[sjm]

I was at the launch today, partly out of interest because I've never seen Cameron 'live'; so, two impressions:

1. Boris was serious, focussed and seems to have found his feet.

2. Cameron was very, very impressive - he came across as utterly self-possessed without being arrogant, and oddly enough, as a quietly tough character. This was not done with posturing or ham acting, he just gave the impression of someone who knows where he's going and no-one and nothing is going to get in his way. It's a different kind of leadership, but it is definitely leadership.

[Tony Devenish]

I haven't witnessed a better Election launch in years. The short passionate speeches by community activist Ray Lewis , Dave and Boris (all over in 22 minutes) was excellent.

Lynton Crosby has clearly got the Campaign on track.

Two messages (if the Boris team read C Home) 1. bill boards/press ads encouraging postal votes to get the % vote up linked to :

2. 'Stop Red Ken's £25 per day Car Poll tax applies to YOU '(picture of normal car + londoner). It is truely amazing that few people (other than Tory activists) know anything about this or think it only applies to Chelsea tractors.

[jeff r]

"No room for complacency. Get out there and leaflet for Boris."

Indeed, er, apparently, Boris said that islamaphobia was a natural reaction to Islam?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/apr/02/livingstone.london08

[Jill, London]

Re – The Guardian piece by Jonathan Freedland – it is a heavy-handed, and heavily partisan – piece of Lefty journalism that’s pro-Comrade Livingstone – and anti Boris from which “Jeff” quotes inaccurately: “Boris said that islamaphobia was a natural reaction to Islam”. Freedland’s accurate quote is: “one 2005 column described Islamophobia as a "natural reaction”.” Freeland doesn’t finish this quote, and it would have been helpful is to have seen the full context. But Lefties are fond of selective, out-of-context quotes.

Moreover, this Freedland piece is peppered with inaccuracies, and wishful thinking. This is an inept effort from such an experienced journalist, and broadcaster [on the Bolshevik Broadcasting Corporation aka the Guardian of the airwaves]. Indeed, this below par piece of flim-flammery deserved to be ‘spiked’.