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”.
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