Boris Johnson: a genuine concern...

[cdonline]

The programme showed up the lack of any vision from Paddick and Johnson. Simply saying you are going to sort out London's problems, with little of idea of how to do it, is pathetic.

I think Paddick's rather cute in a sort of ex-copper way and none other the candidates would be seen with their tops off in a nightclub. I just think there is some other role for him outside of party politics. He seems straightkjacketed by having to toe the party line and comes across as wooden.

Boris a buffoon. No matter how much the papers try to big him up. He would be a disaster.

I thought this was Paxman at his best.

[bignumber5]

Have just watched it

Paddick seems a bit too reactionary to me - willing to expose the loopholes in the policy making of others but with ill-defined stances himself in many areas. The areas in which he's strong minded seem to be the areas which could do with a little discussion and moderation.

All of the negative points that this thread has highlighted about Boris were amply demonstrated, Paxman using his patented technique of bullishly handing out just enough rope.

For me, it's a one horse race.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Louisiana

It was a website mentioned on a bbc radio show. I typed the url correctly (several times) and each time it reverted to the rant site upon pressing return.

Can't remember what the url was now.

[Alan Dale]

removed

[Keef]

From the clips I heard on the radio this morning, Boris came across as a fool, and Paddick came across quite well.

[tinagwee]

so who do we vote for then? I want to vote but there are no real options. Green party could be a good option but as someone mentioned having someone whose every move has to be agreed by a commitee as the Green party does, it kind of dilutes decision making. Also there is the fear that if I vote Green, Boris will get in.

I do find Boris funny but also agree his bumbling loveability is an act and I certainly dont want him to be in a position of any power or influence. Someone smart and reasonable tell me who to vote for! (I think that pretty much means you Sean eheheh)

[Asset]

what about Paddick? I'm starting to veer in his direction. Or should I just go for the devil we know? Boris is not an option.

[Alan Dale]

removed

[Keef]

I like Paddick, but not sure if it would be a wasted vote... Only problem is, I really can't chose between Boris and Ken because one is an idiot and a tory, and the other is an evil little dwarf!

[Marmora Man]

Alan Dale Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I think a sensible vote would be one that ensures

> our next mayor doesn't describe black people as

> picanninies.

So you could vote for the man that calls a Jewish journalist no better than a concentration camp guard.

[Marmora Man]

Asset Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> what about Paddick? I'm starting to veer in his

> direction.

Remember a conservative (small c) is simply a liberal that has met reality.

[SimonM]

The prospect of "BJ" (I refuse to refer to him just by his forename and not because Dame Tessa of NL has so decreed!) becoming mayor appals me, so I'll be voting in the most effective way to reduce this possiblity, i.e. for Livingstone.

[Keef]

Problem is Simon that I have heard a lot of people say exactly that about Livingston, so Boris will get a lot of votes from people who simply don't want Ken anymore.

[david_carnell]

Marmora Man Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Alan Dale Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > I think a sensible vote would be one that

> ensures

> > our next mayor doesn't describe black people as

> > picanninies.

>

> So you could vote for the man that calls a Jewish

> journalist no better than a concentration camp

> guard.

Come off it MM. I've read enough of your posts on the forum to know you're not that silly to take that story at face value. Firstly, Ken was steaming drunk and we all say daft things then. Secondly, he didn't know the reporter was Jewish - how would you (unless he wears a kippah on paparazzi detail)? And thirdly, Ken was referring to the fact that the reporter worked for Associated Newspapers, sympathisers of the Nazi regime in the 30s, and so therefore he was no better than a camp guard with the "just following orders" excuse.

It wasn't the cleverest thing to come out with but it doesn't really compare to the rather unpleasant undertones in the Johnson "picaninies" furore. In the article in question, Johnson mocked Tony Blair's brief visits to world troublespots, acting as "SuperTony", bringing peace to the world while the UK deteriorated; Blair would arrive as "the tribal warriors will all break out in watermelon smiles to see the big white chief", just as "it is said the Queen has come to love the Commonwealth, partly because it supplies her with regular cheering crowds of flag-waving piccaninnies".

Frankly I find that a lot more unpleasant and not far short of thinly veiled racism.

[*Bob*]

I do feel terribly sorry for that Standard reporter who suddenly remembered he was Jewish (when it suited him).

[Nero]

Ken is drunk on power. He thinks he can do what he wants, is profligate with his cash and is a crony magnet par excellence. Boris will be on his best behaviour because his Tory betters will need him to produce results so that they can oust Brown and co in a few year's time. Boris for Mayor! Nero

[Alan Dale]

removed

[wee quinnie]

david_carnell Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

>> >

> Come off it MM. I've read enough of your posts on

> the forum to know you're not that silly to take

> that story at face value. Firstly, Ken was

> steaming drunk and we all say daft things then.

> Secondly, he didn't know the reporter was Jewish -

> how would you (unless he wears a kippah on

> paparazzi detail)? And thirdly, Ken was referring

> to the fact that the reporter worked for

> Associated Newspapers, sympathisers of the Nazi

> regime in the 30s, and so therefore he was no

> better than a camp guard with the "just following

> orders" excuse.

>

> It wasn't the cleverest thing to come out with but

> it doesn't really compare to the rather unpleasant

> undertones in the Johnson "picaninies" furore. In

> the article in question, Johnson mocked Tony

> Blair's brief visits to world troublespots, acting

> as "SuperTony", bringing peace to the world while

> the UK deteriorated; Blair would arrive as "the

> tribal warriors will all break out in watermelon

> smiles to see the big white chief", just as "it is

> said the Queen has come to love the Commonwealth,

> partly because it supplies her with regular

> cheering crowds of flag-waving piccaninnies".

>

> Frankly I find that a lot more unpleasant and not

> far short of thinly veiled racism.

I wouldn't even say it was thinly veiled.

BTW - Although Ken's words where perhaps ill chosen, surely the sentiment was fair enough? Isn't it analaogous to saying a black person is capable of racism etc ? I understand that in the immediate aftermath of the remark, Ken was both lauded AND condemned by members of London's Jewish community.

[TillieTrotter]

Prince Phillip for Mayor;-)

[Asset]

I caught Paddick on the Politics Programme the other day and he didn't come across very well, bit stiff. He's not a slick politician. He also got defensive and snippy in last week's Time Out interview.

[Nero]

Ok folks, let's deconstruct what Boris said. He's alluding to unsavoury old-world values and words to satirise Blair and the Queen. He is not racist, but he's referring to racism. So Boris is not racist. He's a loundmouth, but that's what politicians are. Ken is not good for London anymore. The GLA needs a good shake-up, otherwise it will end up like the GLC. Nero

[wee quinnie]

tinagwee Wrote:

-- Also there is the fear

> that if I vote Green, Boris will get in.

>

As I understand it (sorry I don't have the correct terminology to hand - its a bit early for me), you have 2 votes, so if you vote Greens first and Ken second, then you'll not be voting for Boris.

[*Bob*]

Every time I see Paddick I keep hearing cdonline's wise words..

"..rather cute in a sort of ex-copper way and none other the candidates would be seen with their tops off in a nightclub"

[snorky]

I have detials of 7 people in London who will not be voting. I try not to vote, it only encourages these parasites, but I am willing to spend a day trundling about and vote in these 7 peoples names in any way I like

Whats it worth for Snorky to vote for your favoured candidate ?

[snorky]

PS Paddick - once a copper, always a copper - dont trust him