London: Mayor & More

Time Out Hustings: A Statement From Team Boris

A spokesperson says:

“Boris was never due to attend the event on April 2nd as he had a longstanding engagement to talk to local newspaper editors. We had hoped to take part in the hustings when it was still planned for April 3rd but unfortunately TimeOut decided to reschedule for the day before instead. We’re disappointed TimeOut has claimed Boris has withdrawn as this is simply not the case but wish them a successful event without him.”

Statement ends.

Team Livingstone & The New YouGov Poll

They say its findings are "totally implausible" including at length on their own site. Well, they would say that wouldn't they? Well, yes, they might. As it happens I've heard mutterings from Team Paddick too that YouGov polls aren't reliable. Again, they would say that, wouldn't they? Again, well, yes they might. Interestingly, though, Martin at MayorWatch expressed doubts about the last YouGov poll, noting that the figure for "others" was very low, as it is in the latest one. And Martin wouldn't just say that.

Still, Peter Kellner has an answer to that point. The Guardian report says:

"Kellner said there were two main reasons for this. The amount of attention being focused on Livingstone and Johnson was making it harder for small parties to attract support, and the comparison with 2004 was unfair because the 2004 mayoral elections coincided with the European elections in which Ukip attracted a large vote."

Listen: I'm not taking sides in this one. But I'm looking forward more than ever to polls from other companies.

Why Has Boris Withdrawn From The Time Out Hustings?

It's happening on Wednesday, but Boris has pulled out. I wonder why. The Tory Troll has a theory.

UPDATE: Dave Cole agrees with the Troll.

UPDATE 2: Team Boris responds.

Ray Lewis & David Cameron At Johnson Launch

Through a crowd and, initially, the head of Lynton Crosby, an introduction by the founder of Eastside Young Leaders Academy and most of Cameron's speech.

More later.

Boris Johnson: Mayoral Team Will Not Be Named

After his speech this morning, Johnson told journalists (including me) that he would definitely not be announcing prior to the election who the members of his City Hall team will be in the event of his becoming mayor. He first repeated the view that this would be presumptuous, then added that it would be "impossible" for contractual reasons - presumably a reference to potential recruits needed to extract themselves from existing employment before signing up with him. Asked if it might be helpful to him if a team could be announced in advance he thought it difficult to speculate. Speaking of speculation, though, my information is that James Cleverly, Assembly candidate and blogger of note, has not been sounded out by Johnson to become his "race advisor" as has been reported elsewhere.

At The Guardian: Boris "Final Phase"

My account of this morning's events for the politics blog. More here soon.

Lib Dems In North-East

No doubt encouraged recent by-election results the Lib Dems clearly believe they're in with a shout in North East. Their candidate Meral Ece has been out and about with Brian and, like him, bashing everything and anything Labour.

Boris & Dave

I'll be in Edmonton as this post goes live, in Bounces Road Community Hall with The Blond and Boy Dave. Team Boris bills this as the launch of the final phase of Johnson's election campaign. Ray Lewis, of Eastside Young Leaders' Academy will be providing the street cred. They're touching three bases here: crime, youth, social responsibility. We're also seeing Boris and the New Model Tory leader presenting a unified front in an Assembly constituency - Enfield and Haringey - that Labour only just holds. Team Ken's counter attack is already underway. Its press release says: "Boris Johnson is a throwback to another era...[He] represents the revolt of everything that is old against everything that is new...he is the 19th century candidate for Mayor of London." This seems a fresh line of attack. Will it negate the "time for change" message or, simply by drawing attention to it, reinforce it?

Stickergate

The Standard's photographer came back on thread.

"Hi Dave, Thanks for your concern, It was a great anecdote to end on. It was a fun evening, the funniest line of the night was when Boris mentioned that he would like to send Ken into space as Ken support's the space programme. When you next speak to the official minders of Camp Ken and Camp Sian remind them that lensman is happy to sport stickers from them also, I have plenty of space left. You know anxious they can be, ohhh and a few T shirts would also be nice from all four camps. I'm a large by the way."

And, yes, Team Brian had been a bit naughty. Still, for a minor offence it's only a suspended sentence if you graciously come clean.

Jonathan Porritt

For him, the choice is clear:

"The prospect of Boris taking over London’s Climate Change Action Plan is even scarier. He may have learnt not to reveal his full contrarian bigotry on climate change, but he really doesn’t get it, and would rapidly scale back or completely get rid off the ambitious targets in the Action Plan. And that would be a massive set back. Internationally, London is widely recognised as one of a handful of cities showing real leadership on climate change. And Ken Livingstone has driven that personally, in a very effective partnership with his deputy, Nicky Gavron. Just as he has driven a host of other environmental and sustainability priorities."

I'm soliciting views from environmentalists, so this interests me. I left a comment.

"Hello Jonathan. I've been writing about the mayoralty campaign for the Guardian and keeping my own blog about it. I'm interested to read that you see such clear differences between Ken and Boris on green issues, given that some commentators - and, notably, the Lib Dem candidate Brian Paddick - have expressed doubts about the true environmental benefits of Ken's LEZ and his proposed new £25 extra- congestion charge on gas-guzzlers (particularly as small cars will be exempted from the c-charge altogether under the same policy.) As a voter as well as a journalist I'm finding it quite difficult to reach conclusions about the competing policies and claims of the three leading candidates and those of Sian Berry. I'd be fascinated to read more from you on this subject."

It hasn't appeared on his site yet. Later, maybe? Hoping to hear from you, Jonathan.