The race is on now for the new London Mayor. Will it be Ken Livingstone, or the tousle-haired, much-lampooned Boris Johnson? (The other candidates won't get a look in.) The fun has already started with Mr Livingstone and Mr Johnson firing insults at each other across the airwaves and newspaper columns. Adding to Mr Johnson's image as a character out of the Beano comics, even his father has weighed in: 'I just don't think people want another four years of Stalinist Ken Livingstone, and Boris will be a fresh voice.' Meanwhile, the 'Stalinist' has said: 'London is currently the world's most successful city and requires serious city administration, not a shambles.' Now, the shambles in question has always struck me as a personable chap, obviously clever and keen.
Townies are quick to take a pop at Livingstone mainly for the congestion charge but we have won the Olympic bid. We need someone to steer the city through this challenge. Mr Livingstone, I suspect, would be the more organised of the two, but Mr Johnson would be a marvel at boosting morale when the inevitable chippiness from Londoners about the cost and disruption sets in.
-
Six rural properties with space, charm and endless views, as seen in Country LifeWe take a look at some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life in the past week.
-
Exploring the countryside is essential for our wellbeing, but Right to Roam is going backwardsCampaigners in England often point to Scotland as an example of how brilliantly Right to Roam works, but it's not all it's cracked up to be, says Patrick Galbraith.
