ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ

Perhaps if the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ were less sneering about candidates entering the race we might have a proper contest. Boris may not be everyone's cup of tea but at least a proper contest gives us some democracy.

We need characters in politics, I like many otheres I suspect are sick of bland, spin doctor, politics. Boris like Ken is a character the more we have in politics the more interesting politics will become. Who knows we may actually get the public interested, they may even vote! Now that would be a change for the better.

I am not too sure if Boris realises that London is a rather big city.

Boris Johnson's blunders and public gaffs make him all the more affable. As mayor, though, can someone afford these gaffs. At least he thoroughly agrees how 'abominable' the public transport system is. The question is, will he do something about it, lets hope so.

Boris Johnson NEVER has anything to say. London needs him as mayor like a hole in the head. If this is the best the conservatives can offer Londoners, heaven help us!

Fabulous, as controversial as Red Ken! He will soon realise that London is not ethetically pleasing Henley, even with his experience of living in equally idyllic Islington. However, good luck to him, at least the Tories have a more flamboyant candidate this time!

Good decision by Boris and for the Conservatives. It is clear that in direct elections it is necessary to have well known candidates. He is one of only a few Conservatives that are able to make a serious challenge against Ken Livingstone. My guess is that Gordon Brown doesn't want to see Labour lose all devolved governments after the disasters (from the Labour point of view) in Scotland and, partly, in Wales. He will therefor call a general election before the mayoral election to make Boris divided his time between Henley and London, so Ken can take the post again.

London deserves Boris - facile, vacant, image-driven and self-promoting. A perfect match.

We need characters in politics, I like many otheres I suspect are sick of bland, spin doctor, politics. Boris like Ken is a character the more we have in politics the more interesting politics will become. Who knows we may actually get the public interested, they may even vote! Now that would be a change for the better.

Let him do it - Londons Mayor is an essentially useless office anyway so we might as well have a laugh out of it.

"...he had next-to-nothing actually to say."

So, I'm thinking, maybe that's how we inherited/developed our presidential campaigning process here in the US!

Isn't personality what it is meant to be about? I thought the whole idea was to rejuvenate local politics by encouraging local "big beasts" to enter the fray. Once elected the big beast crashes about within the local bureaucracy getting his/her agenda completed.

This certainly improves accountability, what it does for efficient, effective and economic local government is perhaps more open to debate.

I like Johnson, in fact I like him a lot. I think that he's genuinely intelligent and articulate, and a lot of the time gets unfairly tarred with the "tim nice but dim" bumbling toff brush.

However, I wasn't sure if he could do a decent job of running London. And I'm even less so now that I hear he's launched his campaign with no real content or policiy issues. It seems like a PR and popularity exercise more than a serious contest.

He is very funny though, and can laugh at himself unlike red ken.

As far as personality politics goes, as long as it's backed up by some substance and integrity then i'm all for it.

A shambolic photocall seems to continue the manner in which the Tories have run this selection process. Boris Johnson is not to everyone's taste and appears to be less than suitable at times.

However, he is obviously bright and does at least stir the normally apathetic voters. Whether he can be successful remains to be seen but London would benefit from a change from the cynical, autocratic rule that Ken Livingstone has imposed on us for the past few years.

With Livingstone you get the impression that it's not London that's important - only Ken and if you don't agree with him, then that's too bad.

Let's get a bit of real democarcy back into this great city

The fact that there is a Mayor in this day and age is appalling, it is an out dated title, a council is a more democratic way of conducting the running of the City.
Saying that Boris should be PM!

I can only be thankful that he doesn't want to be mayor of Newcastle

Can we not keep Ken a little longer? He's done a good job so far. I'm not keen on the idea of Boris for Mayor! Character or not I really don't think he'll do a good job and I think Ken's done a very good one!

Yes it does, and yes it is bad.

The Tories may be shooting themselves in the foot here. It's a common misconception that the present Mayor was elected because he was a "character". While this may have had something to do with it (and no bad thing either, his high profile has mostly been very good for London), I, like many people I know, supported him because of his policies, and have had little reason to regret my decision (and I'm not and have never been a Labour voter). He's been prepared to stand up for London against central government and the policies of the major parties. Does Boris Johnson actually stand for anything?

Simply cannot take Boris Johnson seriously. Too much the buffoon. Being an MP for such a rarefied and undemanding constituency as Henley (clearly not a full time job for Mr Johnson)is hardly a qualification for running a great capital city. No real competition for Ken there and I would like to see Ken (if he's allowed to stand for third term) given a run for his money by someone.

i hate the tories but Boris is brilliant! Boris for PM!

Yes, it certainly does lead to personality-driven politics. But that is not necessarily bad - depends upon the person.

What is bad though is not to have a limit on the number of terms a mayor can serve. I think mayors should be limited to two terms. And so should prime ministers for that matter.

I think he would make an excellent mayor. He's not half the buffoon you take him for. He has a very good head on his shoulders and the act you see is only for publicity. Don't be fooled by it.

I'm severely conflicted. Boris adds greatly to the gaiety of the nation, but I don't think he could run a bath.

Bet Ken is shaking in his shoes at the prospect of an infantile man with no manifesto overthrowing him from seat..

Boris don't make me laugh

But enjoy the crack because that is all this charade is another story just like Shagger Norris ...

Living in Mid Wales I could not give a hoot about what happens in London, Boris is a comedian first and politician after, one good thing, this kind of news keeps the Beckham's off the pages.

'I say fantastic...amazing...fantastic...amazing'

Is the Bullingdon club is taking over?

Is this the man to put the Dick into Whittington?

Anybody will be an improvement to Ken Livingston - a man whose words and actions I have never understood. I thing Boris would be a good Mayor and will adapt his clownish behaviour when he sees that there is a serious job to be done.
David Mitchell

Boris is a personality and we certainly need as many of those as we can get, and he is bright. However, in recent memory a shambolic launch party was not a good omen for the success of the venture. Remember Ken Clarke and John Redman, to mention just one?
I think Boris will have to get a bit more professional and save his buffoonery for the right moment.

Of course any Mayor needs personality, but it's not a substitute for policies, substance and commitment. Unfortunately, Boris has none of these. 'Shambolic' accurately describes both his photocall and his whole approach to life. We deserve much better.

I don't think personality politics works. Individuals seem to work on the basis that they won't be around in 10 years time so as long as it looks good now, it's ok. If you select a party you should be able to expect a longer term delivery which is how things actually get fixed.

Boris is a superb thinker, nice person and does not hug terrorists like 'Red Ken'

I have just watched the clip on the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ website which shows the Boris Johnson interview. The interview really was a mess, a failed job interview. If Johnson cannot successfully manage a brief meeting with the press, one wonders how he could possibly succeed in the role of mayor.

Yet he can apparently be editor of The Spectator, be an MP and have enough energy and time left for extra-curricular activities. Rather than evidencing his skills, perhaps this tells us something about the amount of time he has been willing to give to the two important posts he currently holds.

the fact that Boris had nothing to say is surely not unusual for a politician - his singularity is surely that in having nothing to say he did not waffle on for hours to confirm it!!
A really 'nice' guy, but does he actually stand for anything??

Boris would make an excellent Mayor because he knows the difference between right and wrong. As for the shambolic bit, so what? London is one big shambles. I'm glad I don't live there...

Do Tel. Does Boris actually wan't to run for this position..I feel that Boris is being misslead by other political figures. Which does tend, to be the case, in any political ring and, is therefore, probably questioning himself.. I don't recall Boris actually, saying, out and out, "Hay I like the spotlight!!!" Does anyone elce??? I honestly don't think he does. I believe, he is one to, participate from the behind the scenes..If he cares to paricipate at all. And honestly speaking..Who has actually approached him in person and requested that he run??

Livingston is behaving like a car-hating, power-mad egocentic. He has to go, but I don't think Boris is the
right candidate. It would be too easy for his opponent to
portray him as a clown. I've always voted Labour but I'd
vote for another Ken - Ken Clarke

London Palladium - yes
London Mayor - not really.

YOU DON'T THINK WE ARE GOING TO WRITE IT OUT AGAIN DO YOU???????????????
unbelievable

I say Crikee! Yikes! Yaroo! The Billy Bunter of the Tories will be giving sticky buns all round and midnight feasts in the Dorm (Mansion House?).
As a Labour party member I have always liked Boris for not making politics dull. I love him.
He was brilliant up here in Liverpool, having upset the city.
If he were not to get elected he can always team up with Paul Merton as it was the best double act I have seen for years on "Have I got News for You"

In case the Londoners do have a collective suicide pact and he gets elected "What Larks" -eh. Hang on to your hats (and wallets!!)

Whilst recognising that the tories have in the past tended to prefer dull grey suited leaders like IDS and John Major, is it likely that the people of London are looking for the more amusing talent of a circus clown!

Maybe Jeremy Paxman should stand as Mayor as he seems to believe he knows it all! Then he could interview himself and see if he can give a straight answer to a question without a 100 word essay to baffle the masses.

Whilst recognising that the tories have in the past tended to prefer dull grey suited leaders like IDS and John Major, is it likely that the people of London are looking for the more amusing talent of a circus clown!

Boris Johnson is an intellectual and a serious politician, he may have a high profile but he's not a "celebrity". So why are you comparing him with Jade Goody. I just don't get the point Newsnight is trying to make here.

I'm sure tere is a lot of self- promotion gong on - so what. If everyone can get excited about a long-standing parliament - which means it has sat too long - I don't make the rules, with a Scotch prime minister - can at least get excited about Boris - even if we believe we're living in 1066 and all that and all that the wee timorous beasty can growl over, I'm getting lost here, any way, let's just have a good time with a politician who makes some sense in his apparent non-sense. A least with a name like Boris he sounds european, even if not qite English

"So why are you comparing him with Jade Goody. I just don't get the point Newsnight is trying to make here."

The point is the the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ in general, and Newsnight in particular suffer "medial-liberal" bias of anything vaguely right-wing. Antony Jay's pamphlet "Confessions of a Reformed ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Producer" explains this very clearly.

Boris is very clever and a nice guy but whenever he is on the box he comes over as a complete buffoon without anything of substance to say.

Boris will make an excellent candidate, and I hope that the sneering media give him a chance, and actually listen to him.
Ken is also a character, but he's now well past his sell-by-date.
Boris writes an excellent well thought out article every Thursday in the Telegraph, and I advise everyone to read it before judging him.
I do not live in London.

Isn't all politics personality lead? I think it's naive to suppose otherwise... party politics these days are so flexible. Surely what we're all looking for is someone who looks capable of holding his own and standing out in a crowd. I think Boris could do that with a certain amount of panache. Though whether it's the sort of panache I'd choose if there were others in the field is a nice point.

I can see nothing but trouble for the Conservatives if Boris goes ahead running for Mayor.

Boris and David are hoping to run the UK between them. Whatever could be worse!I believe however that Boris has become a candidate to become the Tory candidate, not yet been selected. So surely some sense will prevail and he will fall at the first hurdle.
Ken Livingstone seems to have done a good job and deserves his third term.
Surely Londoners don't want the idiotic posturing that Boris indulges in.
Ken for Mayor say I

Yes. Then

Boris for P.M.

Boris and David are hoping to run the UK between them. Whatever could be worse!I believe however that Boris has become a candidate to become the Tory candidate, not yet been selected. So surely some sense will prevail and he will fall at the first hurdle.
Ken Livingstone seems to have done a good job and deserves his third term.
Surely Londoners don't want the idiotic posturing that Boris indulges in.
Ken for Mayor say I

Boris appears to be a buffoon and that's because he is a buffoon. I'm just waiting until you guys catch up with the obvious fact that Cameron is just a slightly more articulate and affable buffoon.

With these two morons we don't need a renewed Soviet threat. They'll manage it on their own thanks very much.

As a Northerner I think Boris is the ideal candidate for the job.
Of course if it were the northwest I would not give him a hot dog stand to run.

It is the policy - and that too based on reality and not pipe dreams -that must be the priority as personalities over recent years have shown how their charisma, photogenic smiles and contrived chumminess have the capacity to influence innocent and more often than not gullible masses. Boris is a bumbler and he should be given the job of a town cryer. Ken, with his foul mouth and occasional bloody mindedness, has the capacity to get the jobs done.

Boris for Mayor sounds great. Can we have Paul Merson and Ian Hislop as his deputies.

Paul Merson ? I suppose an ex-Arsenal footballer will at least have some understanding of London...

And why is the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ giving Boris a good kicking before he is getting started ?

I thought you were meant at least to pretend that you are impartial ?

London would be suicidal to look this acutely intelligent gift horse in the mouth

If Boris Johnson is also a celebrity ? Hooray ! At last !
A celebrity worth celebrating

The very idea of Mr Johnson even existing , let alone standing for Mayor , is one of the huge treats of our times , if not all time

At a sporting event on Sunday ,
my casual poll of potential voters inspired " there IS a God " smiles of genuine relief all round - not a single word against the man

( Yah boo to Mr Crick's Rigsbyesque nudge-nudge wink-wink at his ' colourful ' private life - So what )

One - sober, hetrosexual - gentleman polled declared :

".. I love that man - why doesn't he run the whole country ? "

As a fairly frequent central london walker and cyclist myself , it is painfully obvious that Mr Livingstone - a.k.a. The Boy Bendybus - has niether empathy nor respect for his fellow citizens

Bendy-buses are inhuman . Moreover the congestion charge seems little more than a tax to fund the mass observation of our post war 'social engineering' fiasco , and the fall-out from our near fetishistic goading of foreigners .

Any progressive Mayor engaging with climate change would have already 'incentivised' tax-payer funded employees , except the emergency services , to sail around town by peddle cycle

( Other than making them to endure lengthy waits on 'typhoid transport')

And without a doubt simply outright banned domestic 4x4 'vehicles' from rudely obscuring other road users views and causing no end of 'terror' anywhere within the M25 ( Show me the mud )

Let's hear it for Boris - Hip Hip !

I think Boris is bloody brlliant. Wouldn't it be nice to cut out all the politically correct crap? And to be represented by someone with experience outside the narrow political world?