This page lists all the mayoral candidates (other than Boris, of course!) and includes a quick introduction to each and a link to further information on the BBC's London Elections 2008 website. We've also linked to each candidate's mini-manifesto - every London voter should receive a booklet from London Elects by 28th April containing all these mini-manifestos to help them make up their minds. Audio and PDF versions are also available via the linked pages, and there's a contact address to obtain other accessible formats.
The first block of candidates is ordered according to each party's share of the mayoral vote in 2004 (1st + 2nd preference), then the rest are ordered alphabetically by surname with an unsavoury exception who appears at the end of the page.
Ken Livingstone - Labour party
The current Mayor of London seeking re-election for a third term. You probably have a fair idea what to expect from him already!
Links
Brian Paddick - Liberal Democrat party
The former Metropolitan police deputy assistant commissioner is standing as the Lib Dem candidate.
Links
Gerard Batten - UKIP
Founder member of UKIP and the UK Independence Party Member of the European Parliament for London wants to be Mayor too (well, how much can a UKIP member get up to in the European Parliament anyway?).
Links
Sian Berry - Green party
"A well-known figure on the environmental scene and [...] a frequent contributor to TV and radio debates on green issues."
Links
Lindsey German -
Respect partyLeft ListLindsey nearly won an assembly seat for Respect in 2004, and after a split in the Respect party she's trying for Mayor this time under the Left List banner.
Links
Alan Craig - Christian Peoples Alliance & The Christian Party
"[Newham] councillor Alan Craig is the mayoral candidate on a joint ticket for both the Christian Peoples Alliance and the Christian Party." I'm guessing you'll only be a fan if you're of a Christian persuasion!
Links
Winston McKenzie - Independent
A former member of the Labour party and Veritas (remember them?), former boxer Winston is standing as an independent in 2008.
Links
- BBC article about Winston McKenzie
- Winston McKenzie's campaign website
- Winston McKenzie didn't submit a mini-manifesto to London Elects.
Matt O'Connor - English Democrats party
The founder of Fathers 4 Justice is standing for the English Democrats, who seem to favour England declaring independence from the rest of the UK.
Links
The following candidates declared their intention to stand but didn't register by the deadline - whether this was down to lack of funds, lack of supporters or a change of heart we don't entirely know!
Dennis Delderfield - New Britain
Couldn't find out much about this candidate online - the New Britain party seems to be quite similar to UKIP but even smaller.Link
John Flunder - Senior Citizens Party
"John Flunder [is] an active campaigner for pensioners' rights". Incidentally, the party defines seniors as anyone over 50 - make of that what you will (trying to increase their constituency?)Link
Damian Hockney - One London party
"One London was born out of a split within the ranks of the UK Independence Party (UKIP)." Damian Hockney is currently a member of the London Assembly.
Mr Hockney has dropped out of the race, apparently furious with the complete media uninterest in his campaign despite his party already having 2 GLA members.Links
Chris Prior - Stop The Congestion Charge party
"If elected as Mayor of London he pledges to scrap the Congestion Charge on his first day of office." Not sure what he'll do for the rest of his four-year term...Mr Prior has dropped out due to lack of funds, but is instead standing for election to the GLA.Links
You?
New social networking site London Elects You allows members to stand for selection as a mayoral candidate: the one with the most votes from other site members will be given £50000 to allow them to actually stand as an independent candidate (this covers the deposit, preparing a manifesto and campaigning costs). So if you're unimpressed by the choices available, why not stand yourself or look for a better alternative on this site?
Unfortunately the winner of the online vote was unable to stand because they could not get confirmation of the electoral roll numbers of their 330 signatories. Sounds like a rather unfair bit of bureaucracy, and something that will hopefully be reformed before the next mayoral election.Links
Richard Barnbrook - BNP
There had to be someone worse than Boris standing as mayor. It's pretty safe to say that the BNP candidate is that person. Sorry, no links.
