Ken’s personal fiefdom

If you missed the Today programme’s interview with Ken Livingstone, make sure you tune in when it’s available on Listen Again – some quite startling revelations were made.

When asked whether he headed a “personal fiefdom”, Livingstone seemingly assented and went on to say that (and – for now – I’m quoting as closely as typing-whilst-listening will permit): “That’s exactly what Tony Blair set out to do ….  I was originally opposed to it at first”.  Since taking up the role, however, his views have changed.  Now – as he expressed in the interview – he believes the Mayoral set-up has distinct advantages over those operating through “networks” of Sir Humphries and civil servants.

What’s more, Livingstone thinks that – against all signs – there’s true accountability built into the position, but that this only takes effect during election time:  “I am accountable to Londoners; they watch me the whole time and if they don’t like what they see they’ll get a new mayor”.