2000: Livingstone to take on government
In his inaugural speech as Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has announced that he will stand up to the government when they are not acting in the capitals best interests.Six weeks after the ballot on 4 May the former Labour rebel has taken up full powers as Londons first directly-elected mayor.Mr Livingstone pinpointed transport as his number one priority and said that he wanted to make sure that officials in London transport realise that (people) are customers not cattle.He went on to repeat his opposition to government plans to improve the London Underground through a public-private partnership (PPP).But he spoke in favour of the congestion charges the Labour candidate Frank Dobson had campaigned against.The first duty of the mayor is to London Ken Livingstone His willingness to tackle the government directly including over the euro suggests that his influence will extend beyond his official authority.Mr Livingstone emphasised The first duty of the mayor is to London.
There is not one major decision I have taken since my election that has been affected by whether I was or was not a member of the Labour Party.The 25 members of the new Greater London Assembly (GLA) elected at the same time as the mayor also took on their formal responsibilities today.Their chair Labours Trevor Phillips has warned Mr Livingstone that he must not use his mayoral office to pursue his own political goals saying This is a democracy not a Kenocracy.Where we agree with Ken and where he does well for London we will carry him in triumph through the streets.Where he does things that will harm London we will kick his ass he said.Mr Livingstone was expelled from the Labour Party in March 2000 when he decided to run as an independent against them but he has already spoken of his wish to rejoin.
