LIVINGSTONE REJOINING LABOUR IS A REMARRIAGE OF POLITICAL CONVENIENCE - SIMON HUGHES

4.13.55pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 6th Jan 2004

Simon Hughes is urging Bromley voters to choose a principled Mayor of London this June

Liberal Democrat London Mayoral candidate Simon Hughes today called on Londoners to vote for a principled Mayor in the June 2004 Mayoral elections.

Mr Hughes said:

Ken Livingstone's readmission to the Labour Party will leave many who voted for him feeling cheated and unsure of what Mr Livingstone stands for.

"Mr Livingstone's readmission to the Labour Party is not a remarriage of principle made in heaven but a remarriage of convenience very much made on earth. There is no evidence that either Mr Livingstone or Labour have changed their ways since they were last a couple, or that Londoners will see any benefits of such an unprincipled new match.

"I much look forward to hearing Mr Livingstone's views on New Labour policies such as tuition fees and the war in Iraq. And, having taken the Labour Government to court over funding for the Tube at an estimated cost to Londoners of £4 million, is Ken Livingstone going to say he now supports that policy as well, or is it for Gordon Brown to admit he was wrong?

"If Labour wants Mr Livingstone to stand for re-election under New Labour colours then presumably he will, at last, be expected to sign up to their policies as well."