Ken’s article in The Guardian last week, emphasising how Labour had done better in London than the rest of the country, strongly suggests that he is not done with public life yet. Earlier today, someone with an insight into his thinking suggested a route for Ken back into electoral politics.
The theory goes that Lee Jasper is acting as a stalking horse for Ken in Vauxhall and that if Kate Hoey is de-selected for taking a role in the Johnson administration and flirting heavily with supporting him before the election Ken would then step in to this very safe seat. In the meantime, Ken will use his forthcoming book to vigorously defend his record and make some strong criticisms of Gordon Brown over the PPP for the Tube. He’ll also speak out for the ‘progressive alliance’ that he championed in that Guardian piece.
Once back in Parliament, Livingstone will be in a strong position to play a role as a power-broker in the leadership election that would follow a Labour defeat—his support among party members and his ties to the unions would make him a particularly valuable supporter. His position on the left of the party and reputation as a rebel, would also make him an attractive foil for any of the Cabinet young guns who are all on the centre or the right of the party and a little bit bland.
The biggest stumbling block to this is the Patience Wheatcroft-led audit of City Hall’s finances: if that was to reveal gross incompetence—or worse—than it would be far harder for Ken to revive his career.
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