Date: Wed, 8 Mar 2000 22:12:01 +0000 From: "Livingstone for London" <simonfletcher at livingstoneforlondon.org.uk>
NEWS RELEASE 6 March 2000
STATEMENT FROM KEN LIVINGSTONE MP
The London election on 4 May will now be a referendum on whether London's first elected mayor will bring self-government to the capital, or merely be a fagade with all real decisions taken centrally.
Democracy and local self-government will be meaningless if candidates and policy are imposed centrally, riding roughshod over the views of the people of London. But that is what is taking place.
A new standard in ballot rigging was set in the selection of Labour candidate for mayor. Frank Dobson wins with 24,000 votes and I lose with 74,000 votes, three times more than Frank.
On public transport, the government says it will impose a policy - breaking up and part privatising the tube - rejected as unsafe and inefficient by most Londoners.
It would have been in the best interests of London and democracy in the country if those making decisions in the Labour Party had listened to London on these issues. By the end of last week it was clear that they would not do so.
Disraeli once said: 'Damn your principles. Stick to your party.' I do not agree with him. I have been forced to choose between the party I love and upholding the democratic rights of Londoners.
I have concluded that the defence of the principle of London's right to govern itself requires that I stand as an independent candidate for London mayor.
ENDS
======================================================== This is an announcement from Ken Livingstone's campaign to be mayor of London. For more information and the news archive, see http://www.livingstoneforlondon.org.uk ========================================================
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