This is why we call for a Labour vote in these elections - with the idea of giving Labour a clear majority to ensure it can be held accountable for its actions in govOther problems include the ists, an electoral alliance comPete Firmin The March Labour Party NEC yet again had no proposals put to it on the procedure for selecting the Party's candidate for London Mayor. No explanation is given for this, but there are several possible reasons: the leadership do not want bad publicity about carving out Ken Livingstone in advance of the many elections coming up; they have not yet firmed up a loyal candidate; and they are hoping the longer they postpone the issue the greater the chance of it dying a death with the media.
Although there has been speculation that Mo Mowlem may stand, prompted no doubt by Party insiders, Mowlem herself has given no such indication. There are serious obstacles to her standing, despite her general popularity.
For a start, she has no connection with London. She probably prefers to stay in the Cabinet, hoping maybe to be Party leader one day. She also has important unfinished business in Ireland.
Rumours have it that the leadership are failing back on Nick.
Raynsford, the clone who is Minister for London.
Livingstone has done a good job keeping the issue in the limelight.
The 1,000-plus public meeting in January was followed by a "Let Ken Stand" benefit, which raised £10,000, and a series of hard-hitting press adverts. Local meetings are being planned by the campaign across London. Labour movement and other bodies are being encouraged to step up the flow of resolutions in support of Livingstone's right to stand and ensure copies are sent to him. As well as passing resolutions supporting his right to stand, organisations should also make it clear that they disagree with his stand on the Balkan's war, (see pio)
Meanwhile, the vetting process for Labour candidates for the Greater London Assembly has shown once again what such procedures are about.
The self-nomination process was claimed to assist in ensuring black and women candidates are fully represented: but many black Party members have been told they failed, again not all of them by any means left wingers.
While the leadership dithers about the best way to exclude Livingstone with the least publicity, Party activists must raise the temperature, pointing out what has happened around the GLA candidates and broadening the support for Livingstone's right to stand.