The Metropolis

What are we to make of Ken Livingstone's first Mayoral election broadcast?

Mike Pollitt | Wednesday 11 April, 2012 13:16

First up – the promise to cut fares or resign by a nominated date (October 7th) is one of the few definite, measurable and significant promises anyone has made in the whole campaign. It has power and traction, and I think it’s effective here.

But what of the rest of the video?

A bunch of self-described “ordinary Londoners” moan about all manner of things that the Mayor can do absolutely nothing about – electricity bills, childcare, the NHS – and then beg Ken to win the election and save them all from the nasty Tories. For connoisseurs of Ken’s campaign, the elderly Jewish man in particular will raise a knowing smirk. Subtle this messaging ain’t.

The peroration that these “ordinary Londoners” concoct is a curious one.

“Come on Ken! London needs you…Win it for London Ken!”

That’s right, “ordinary Londoners”, Ken is doing YOU a favour by standing in this election. You’re quite right to be grateful to him for sacrificing himself in your service.

It sounds less like an appeal for votes and more like a candidate clapping himself on the back and expecting the electorate to join in.

It’s an interesting tactic, let’s see how it plays out.

UPDATE: Ken was so moved at this broadcast’s unveiling that he burst into tears, says The Standard’s Pippa Crerar. Remarkable.

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