#VoteBike - 2012 London Mayoral elections

As far as I can tell, the only issue that played a real role in this election was the tax stuff. The key mistake that Livingstone made was not to use different arrangements and then trying to get to Johnson on the personal level. The gap was relatively small, and accusations of hypocrisy are the worst thing that can happen to any politician. I'm certain that Livingstone would have won if it hadn't been for that.

While it's endearing that you think people think this much about policies Oliver I'm just not sure it's true. Boris didn't come out of that looking good either, especially when he lost his cool (which he has a habit of doing) in the lift after that LBC interview with Ken. Most people essentially felt that Ken had a cheek standing again after being voted out 4 years ago. They see him as a spent political force (which he now certainly is) and they didn't like him that much in the first place. They don't feel that Boris has been disastrous, so why would they turn to Ken again?

I don't think the policies came into it, in fact I can think of few elections where manifestos have affected the outcome any less. I don't think anyone really cared that much about the tax situation, the general public think politicians are all crooked and as bad as each other anyway. They just don't like Ken and many of them think Boris is a 'good bloke' (see the wisdom of Mr Jolly) or whatever platitude they choose to describe him.

It's all about personality and national politics. Ken got a huge boost from the poor performance of the Coalition Government and Boris successfully managed to distance himself just enough from the Tories on a national level to scrape through.

On preferences and so on, I voted Ken to try and keep Boris out, very much through gritted teeth. Anyone who voted Green, Independent or anything other than Ken as first preference helped Boris get back in, and now we still have a Mayor who has suggested that cyclists are typically dreadlocked, Lycra-clad racers who jump red lights and believe themselves 'morally superior'. Personally I find that quite frustrating and think it's a shame people can't separate personal ideology and personality politics from political pragmatism and what would (in my opinion) have been best for London.

I think Ed Milliband's quote summed the situation up quite nicely for me:

"Boris Johnson's strategy for these mayoral elections is based on pretending he is not a Tory. He tries not to be seen in public with David Cameron and most of his election literature makes no reference to him being the Conservative candidate. But Boris Johnson has proven to be a typical Tory as mayor, raising fares, cutting services and standing up only for the powerful or wealthy in London."

And now we have another four years of Boris, during which it is quite possible that he will swing further towards his true right wing colours.