Title: Boris Johnson gives Tories a boost
with London mayoral win
Subject: Johnson beats rival Ken Livingstone to secure second
four-year term as London's mayor
Date: Saturday 5 May 2012 02.02 BST
Summary
Boris Johnson gave the Conservatives
a much needed boost as he secured a second London mayoral term for which he
beat Labour rival with a 51.53% approval rate over Ken Livingstone’s 48.47%.
The wait for the results turned into a nail-biting prolonged count down because
there were glitches in the counting process. Johnson promised to be “fighting
for a good deal for Londoners”. Livingstone labels this loss as the most bitter
defeat in a political career spanning more than four decades. Johnson hopes to
go for a non-taxpayer funded drink with Livingstone and describes him as the
most original and creative Labour opponent.
Opinion
The problem with Johnson for
me is that even if I don’t agree with all of his political standpoints I still
think he’s a great bloke. He always comes across as a flabbergasted doofus
which holds a high entertainment value. This is also my concern for his
re-election. How many Londoners voted for him because they think he’s a funny
guy and how many voted for him for political reasons? A mayor holds a very important
position in the governing of a city not only on the inside but also towards the
outside world. And he may have the goofy charm that is needed to make politics
interesting again but does he have the right political views for the city?
What you have described, is a problem that has influenced votes throughout history. How many people voted for a politician, simply because he has a way with words? A politician in a leading role or who is the front of a party must be, in the very first place, charismatic.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenLet me tell you one thing: People are dumb. Probably most of the people voting in an election vote for a reason you don’t like. Some might vote for the most attractive candidate, others vote for one because he has a cool first name. You can never change those kinds of things. Unfortunately.
BeantwoordenVerwijderen