Possibility raised that London has voted for a joke
Although afternoon papers seem more bothered by candidates' footwear... Read more | Comments (2)
The London mayoral vote snatch - lunchtime update
Weather likes Ken, postman likes Boris... Read more | Comment now
Take your pick, London! Sleazy pro or funny bigot?
Morning papers find better things to write about... Read more | Comment now
It's make your mind up time, folks
Boris makes some last minute mischief while Ken places faith in pencils... Read more | Comment now
Heads Up! Boris leads this London 'marathon'
We were going to say 'mayorathon' (snigger) but... we didn't. Anyway watch out for Betfair's Election Swing-o-meter - it's out there as we speak, walking the streets of London...... Read more | Comment now
The Ken and Boris show nears the end of its run
Much-expected pantomime fails to materialise... Read more | Comments (3)
Boris heads to the suburbs with talk of doughnuts
Outer Londoners could decide the capital's future... Read more | Comments (3)
And the winner could be...the Evening Standard!
Ken runs a real risk of losing to a newspaper... Read more | Comment now
Ken discovers his old enemies are his new friends
Labour party sufficiently rattled to take a break from loathing Ken... Read more | Comment now
Candidates keep Londoners' eyes firmly on the buses
Mayoral race already the most bus-centric of all time... Read more | Comment now
The Ken v Boris Poll - it's official, Boris is sexy!
Well everybody else has done a voter poll, so we thought: "what the heck..."... Read more | Comment now
Boris lets a little light in at last
The Sun likes what it sees of Boris's battle plan... Read more | Comment now
Boris and Ken take their campaigns to the shadows
Candidates decide the public is better off not knowing what they are up to... Read more | Comment now
While Ken does Soho, Boris goes up in smoke
The challenger builds himself a trap made of cigarettes... Read more | Comment now
Two weeks to go - no more Mr Nice Guy!
Both candidates' campaigns need some sharp focus to seduce the undecideds... Read more | Comments (2)
Boris comes out top in the latest electoral test - comedy
But upper class buffoonery fails to provide 100% protection... Read more | Comment now
Boris under pressure to name staff, Ken under pressure to get rid of them
Tonight's televised debate should start to answer the key question: what, Mr Candidate, are you going to do?... Read more | Comment now
Gap narrows as Boris struggles to find extra gear
Boris still winning, but not looking much like a winner... Read more | Comments (3)
Even Ken's enemies start to admire his winning skills
Boris is still favourite, but the Mayor's got the moves... Read more | Comments (2)
Ken v Boris - the story so far...
A long time ago, in campaign briefing rooms far, far away... the Blonde decided to take on the Red. So where are we in Mayor Wars?... Read more | Comment now
The Weekly Political Video: Time to take a look at Ken Livingstone
After looking at the wild and wonderful clips of Boris Johnson last week, it seems only right that we take the other half of the comedy duo to task. I give you Mayor Ken Livingstone...... Read more | Comment now
Ken finds himself in a spot of money trouble
Bothersome newspaper finds two financial skeletons in Ken's closet... Read more | Comments (2)
Boris and Ken skirmish for title of most-hard-done-by
A day of little activity, some low grade complaining, and a big shift in the betting... Read more | Comments (2)
Can somebody please give Ken and Boris a shove?
The candidates are still taking a suspiciously casual approach to the campaign... Read more | Comments (5)
Ken and Boris accidentally sex up their campaigns
Ken Livingstone's love children and Boris Johnson's close shave with class-A drugs tinge the mayoral campaign with scandal... Read more | Comment now
The Weekly Political Video: A focus on Boris Johnson
In the first of a weekly feature showing the weird, whacky and, perhaps, even informative political clips from around the internet, we take a look at Boris Johnson...... Read more | Comment now
It couldn't last - Boris snatches the foot-shooting gun from Ken
It has taken a while, but Boris Johnson's gaffe generator is functioning again... Read more | Comment now
'Big Foot' Boris Odds Lengthen Following Housing Gaffe
Boris Johnson's chances of becoming the next Mayor of London have lengthened on Betfair after he told a group gathered by the homeless charity Shelter how he lived in a big house worth "shedloads of money".... Read more | Comment now
The Betfair Prof: "It's the Ken and Boris, Brian and Sian Show"
Prediction market expert the Betfair Prof, better known as Professor Leighton Vaughan Williams, takes us through the weird and the wild of the latest poll on the London Mayoral election. What does it all mean for prediction markets and betting?... Read more | Comment now
London Mayoral Election Betting: No foot left unshot
One month to go, and the mayor misses another chance to narrow the gap... Read more | Comment now
London Mayoral Election Betting: Everybody hates Ken
A large queue has formed. It's full of journalists, columnists and commentators and they're putting the boot in on Ken... Read more | Comment now
London Mayoral Election Betting: Environmental campaigning may split the vote
According to ChickenDinner, Ken Livingstone is banking on the voters in the London Mayoral election being green in more ways than one, and it could be a risky tactic.... Read more | Comment now
Ken v Boris: A fightback from the Red corner
After a week spent entirely on the defensive, Ken Livingstone begins to shake off a nasty bout of scandal fatigue and mount a counter-attack to Boris Johnson's flying start, but out of the blue, one of his worst enemies pops... Read more | Comment now
London Mayoral Election: Hair, buses and a new friend for Ken
With less than six weeks until election day, Chicken Dinner look at the 'finer' points of the Boris v Ken battle...... Read more | Comment now
Boris v Ken: Starting pistol in Mayoral race set to fire
Boris Johnson is now just [1.6] to win the election on 1st May as Ken Livingstone's chances seem to be fading fast. Chicken Dinner take a look...... Read more | Comment now
London Mayor Odds: Boris to be London's slave?
Boris Johnson's announcement that he is descended from slaves appears to have had no impact on the betting, with Livingstone remaining slightly behind the Tory. Chicken Dinner look at the current situation...... Read more | Comment now
Ken v Boris Betting: A battle of political masterminds
Will this just be the most entertaining election for many a year, or is there actually some bite in this 'political dog'? Chickendinner investigates...... Read more | Comment now
London Election Odds: Ken and Boris neck and neck in Mayoral contest
Betfair has best odds on Boris after he flirts with being favourite in Mayoral Race. What lies ahead? Betfair's Mike Robb takes a look... Read more | Comment now
London Mayor Odds: Will Porsche force Ken to change gear?
Porsche add to Livingstone's woes following the announcement that they are to challenge his proposal to raise the congestion charge for high-polluting cars... Read more | Comment now
London Mayor Election Odds: Ken doing his best to buoy Boris
The election of the next Mayor of London is just two and a half months away. Betfair's Mike Robb takes a look at where the betting markets currently stand...... Read more | Comment now
How it works
Voting takes place on 1st May and the counting is the following day. The supplementary vote system is used for the Mayoral Election, so it is different from the normal general election voting system most of us are used to.... Read more | Comment now
Links
Voter Test - don't know who to vote for or bet on? This will help you decide by aligning your views with a candidate. Mayoral Debate - Newsnight 08/04/2008 BBC - London Mayoral Election homepage Evening Standard - London Mayoral... Read more | Comment now
Dates
2nd May - Election count and results announced 1st May - Election day, voters go to the polls (having placed their bets on Betfair!) 23rd April - Last day for proxy vote applications 16th April - Last day for voter... Read more | Comment now
Click here to put the graph on your own website
The latest video...
Hyde Park Corner
Links
Voter Test - don't know who to vote for or bet on? This will help you decide by aligning your views with a candidate.
Mayoral Debate - Newsnight 08/04/2008
BBC - London Mayoral Election homepage
Evening Standard - London Mayoral Election homepage
London Elects - A complete guide to the election
UK Polling Report - For the latest polls on the election
Ken Livingstone - Official campaign website
Boris Johnson - Official campaign website
Brian Paddick - Official campaign website
REGISTER TO VOTE - Informaion on how to go about it
Dates
2nd May - Election count and results announced
1st May - Election day, voters go to the polls (having placed their bets on Betfair!)
23rd April - Last day for proxy vote applications
16th April - Last day for voter registration and postal vote applications
28th March - Deadline for candidates' nominations
How it works
Voting takes place on 1st May and the counting is the following day. The supplementary vote system is used for the Mayoral Election, so it is different from the normal general election voting system most of us are used to.
Under this system voters express their first choice candidate and then a second choice. To win, any candidate needs to receive over 50% of the vote.
If no candidate receives 50% of first choice votes, the top two candidates go to a second round. Voters whose first choice has been eliminated but whose second choice is one of the top two candidates will have their second preference vote added to the first-round totals.
This gives a result whereby the winning candidate has the support of the majority. For more information on the way the Mayor is elected click here.
Betfair is the place to go for the best election odds for betting on the next London Mayor. The election winner will claim a £137k salary but why should Ken and Boris be the only ones to cash in? Betfair was made for politics betting. Here you are betting against other people and not a bookmaker which means you get the best election odds at Betfair – up to 20% better than traditional bookmakers – so it really is the number one stop for politics odds and election betting. Betfair is also a great resource for politics prediction during the London Mayor election. Because many different people bet against each other, all with conflicting opinions, Betfair is a prediction market with a proven record of successfully predicting the outcome of elections.
For London Mayor odds, Ken Livingstone odds, Boris Johnson odds and Brian Paddick odds, click here – the best place to have an election bet.
I think Boris will just have his nose over the line in a photo finish. There are the Hardcore Labour men and the Hardcore Tories. After that there are the Lib Dem's 2nd votes who I think will vote just about more for Boris and then the people who feel thaye should vote and don't have a clue. They will vote for Boris because: The stick Livingston (and all Political powers) get in the press/They Think Boris is Funny/It's time for a change. I want Boris to win and I think he just might!
1 May 2008
Ken is hanging on for the second preference votes now. Will the Lib Dems plump for him? Betfair Market says 'no' - I think: Lay Boris. At 1.3 ish he is still too short for me, with an outcome that is still far from certain.
1 May 2008
Vote for Boris but back Ken - then it's a win win situation!
1 May 2008
We've forgotten the weather here - it's going to be a massive factor. Just seen the forecast and it's rain all the way. How many of the 'Can't Be Arsed' brigade will that keep indoors? I reckon plenty and that means BoJo voters will not be out in strength. Ken is still in it and I've had a nibble at 3.2 - ridiculous odds given his winning record.
29 April 2008
Brian Paddick holds the key to this election. Good Old Bri is no politcian but who will his loyal (and blimey they'd have to be loyal!)supporters give their second preference votes to? I reckon it will be to Boris - Lib Dems, bless 'em all, seem to vote on principles for some reason and I think Ken has too many skeletons in his closet to be a consideration. So get on Boris.
29 April 2008
Boris is on the charge - 1.46 now. Can anything stop him? Maybe worth a lay on Thursday morning if he is sub-1.4 ahead of exit poll favourables for Ken?
29 April 2008
Ken is a sleazed-up waste of time. We need a change and a new direction, and although Boris wouldn't be my number one choice to carry the torch anew he'll have to do. I am so much more optimistic about Mayor Johnson than I am about the current joke - the only thing Ken should be an incumbent of is prison.
29 April 2008
As long as he brings free food he's always welcome in Lambeth...
29 April 2008
What's that saying? Beware of Greeks bearing gifts? I don't know whether that applies to MPs from Henley offering doughnuts but bloody hell - beware, beware, beware!! Come on, London - wake up! Boris is still 1.6. If he wins, I'm leaving - will the last one out , please turn off the lights!
28 April 2008
Boris is making the mistakes but Ken isn't capitalising yet. Is it because his current abode is made of too much glass? This election looks like a Boris win simply because Ken isn't getting fired up about it and people just can't bothered. I think the market's about right - low voter turnout and a Boris win (may the Good Lord help us all!).
25 April 2008
Dear Ken - where is the rabbit that you were going to pull out of the hat? Do it now before this buffoon does the unthinkable!!
I still think Boris is a lay - 1.6 is great value at this point because it's going to be close...
22 April 2008
2.8 is a massive price on Ken. Steam in before it's all gobbled up!
21 April 2008
I love the picture on this story. Ken looks a bit careworn and clueless (as he has done all the way through his campaign) but Boris has clearly been told: "The easiest way to keep your foot out of your mouth is to stuff your thumb in there instead"
To which Boris replied: "Yah, that's a great idea Mr Nameless-Advisor. I say, you don't know my old Nanny do you? She used to say something similar."
18 April 2008
"Ken has to keep sleaze on the outside"... Likely?!
18 April 2008
I don't think Boris can hold back much longer - he's said nothing, nadda, nowt. This last two weeks will definitely see him break rank, surely? Ken lies in wait. Lay Boris asap.
17 April 2008
oh dear not a good performance from Boris last night. ken is coming back. get on!!
16 April 2008
Is it really a good time to be laying Ken? Surely it's still too risky. Perhaps the overall feeling - excusing the cliche - is that it is just time for change, and what exactly that change is doesn't matter.
Saying that, having Mayor Johnson on the same platform as Mayor Bloomberg does scare me somewhat!
15 April 2008
Boris offers something completely different to Ken, and is not just some 'novelty factor' as you describe. True, he will have to do something, but if you look at half of what Ken has 'done' over the last term I'd rather it be Boris ballsing it up than him. Alas, maybe he'll even be bold?
Agree I'd get the money on Ken at the moment though as these odds will be evens again before too long.
14 April 2008
Everybody knows that Boris has the novelty factor. He's the quirky, dinner party option - "Boris is a breath of fresh air!" they shout - but when push comes to shove he's actually going to have to DO something and that we all know would be a disaster.
So I'd get my money on Ken - or at the odds currently offered, lay Boris - because Bozzer isn't going to be out front for much longer.
14 April 2008
Boris for Mayor!!
14 April 2008
Ken will win this, surely? Who is ACTUALLY going to vote for Boris? Ken might be a bit creepy and even a bit dodgy, but Boris...?! No.
11 April 2008
Love Ken's rant there, though to be fair he probably had a fair point. Those idiots at the GLA have been so spiteful about the whole thing. Frankly, they're as bad as each other and a bad representation of London and of what Londoners want.
Who to vote for? God knows.
11 April 2008
Wet cement or not, Ken is on the charge! He's come in to 7-4 from 9-4 today and Boris is drifting - now 4-7. Never doubted it would happen, London will finally come to its senses I reckon.
That Newsnight debate was a bit shambolic for everyone but Ken - Boris mumbled and couldn't come up with any real facts (he's not a bad performance though) while Paddick was hopeless. Ken was just solid, nothing spectacular, but then he's the one there to be shot at so pretty good overall.
9 April 2008
We all know the Olympics are going to cost a fortune - so what? It's going to be a great event and Londoners shouyld be glad we've got it. I don't hear Boris piping up and saying we shouldn't have the Olympics - why? Because we all want it, no matter how much a vocal few shout and moan. Boris couldn't organise his way out of a paper bag - the only reasonable choice, Olympics or otherwise, is Ken (even if he's about as active in this election as a bag of wet cement).
9 April 2008
I knew it - Ken's employing computer hackers!! I think we've got him running scared.
But blimey! Is that the best he's got?!?! What about policies, Kenneth? What about reaching out to Londoners and offering them something new?
The answer is KL is MIA or AWOL, or maybe he's just filling his face at KFC!! Whatever the case, Boris has got this sewn up.
8 April 2008
Shouldn't the title of 'most-hard-done-by' go to the London public for having two sub-standard excuses for human beings to choose from to be their Mayor?!
8 April 2008
The latest debate was last night on Newsnight: http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_4670000/newsid_4679900/4679986.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&news=1&bbcws=1
9 April 2008
I think there is a TV debate planned for the 21st on ITV - will Ken even bother to turn out?? It seems he's given up and allowing the blonde 'headed' one a free run at it. C'mon Ken, you can do better than this current lily-livered effort!
8 April 2008
Is there not a telvised debate planned sometime in the next few weeks? If not I'd be shocked and, frankly, disappointed. How are Londoners like myself supposed to make their decisions when all we hear about are the individual candidates making a mess of themselves? When are we going to hear about the issues?
Frankly I'd rather not have any of them.
8 April 2008
Congestion charge... 20mph speed limits... What next? Square wheels?
7 April 2008
Boris will surely make many more blunders before the campaign is over, whether or not Labour start to take him seriously. It should certainly get interesting nearer the time but at [1.5] he is miles too short for me, a lay if anything.
7 April 2008
Is Ken's 'secrets' closet now empty? I'm amazed he's managed to keep that under wraps for so long - will he be coming out with the 'Vote Ken - it's not for me, it's for the children' line? Surely he needs this job more than Boris now?
7 April 2008
Damn right, vote Boris!!
10 April 2008
Finally Ken can stop doing the hard work for Boris by shooting HIMSELF in the foot
7 April 2008
Describing Ken Livingstone as "a maverick craftsman of social policy" makes me want to barf
7 April 2008