London DailyTelegraph, 29.2.2000
BLAIR GLOVES OFF TO STOP LIVINGSTONE
Tony Blair is convinced the Ken Livingstone has made up his mind to stand as
an independent candidate for London, according to senior Labour officials.
A climbdown by the Government over demands for free mail-shots is likely to
clear the way for Mr. Livingstone to declare later this week.
Ministers will announce plans today to publish a booklet containing each
candidate's election address which will be distributed free to all London
households in the run-up to the ballot on May 4. Without the backing of a
party, Mr. Livingstone would not be able to afford to send his address to
three million households in London, a serious handicap for an independent
candidate.
In a significant change of tactics, Mr. Blair - who is increasingly
frustrated by the way Mr. Livingstone has spun out speculation about his
intentions - has decided to stop adopting a conciliatory approach towards him.
Although last night the Labour ledership was still making last-ditch efforts
to dissuade the former GLC leader from standing, it has drawn up contintency
plans for a "gloves off" fight if he does.
Officials made clear that the party whip would be withdrawn from Mr.
Livingstone as soon as he declared he was standing as an independent.
Labour is also planning a "hard hitting" campaign against Mr. Livingstone if
he stands. Officials denied that it would be a personal "smear" campaign,
but said it would seek to highlight his political record, particularly when
he was leader of the GLC, which resulted in its abolition. There was little
sign last night that a compromise could be reached to allow Mr. Livingstone
to throw his weight behind the official Labour candidate, Frank Dobson. In
advance of a meeting with John Prescott (the deputy prime minister) , Mr.
Livingstone said the the Government was to blame for the "mess" it had got
into over London.
He warned the Government not to ignore the views of Labour Party members in
London who opposed the Government plans to "break up and partially privatise"
the Tube (the London underground rail system). Mr. Livingstone gave another
strong hint that he was ready to stand as an independent, saying that he
wanted to give people the chance to vote for "the candidate and the policy
backed by the majority of Labour members".
He said the modernisation of the Underground had been the "defining policy
issue" in the selection contest which had led to him winning the majority of
the votes cast, even though he was defeated under the electoral college
system. For Labour to try to impose on Londoners a candiate and a policy
which they did not want would be "damaging and absurd".
But the Labour leadership made clear there would be no "horse trading" with
Mr. Livingstone. Nor would there be any attempt to "bribe" Mr. Livingstone
with the offer of a ministerial job - though if he fell into line, he would
be a candiate for promotion at the next reshuffle.
Party officials said they were now working on the assumption that Mr.
Livingstone would stand.
Their assessment was bolstered by sources in the Livingstone camp who said
they were "99 per cent certain" that he would enter the race.
Mr. Livingstone's supporters argue that despite offers of a unspecified role
in Mr. Dobson's "kitchen cabinet" running London, he would be finished
politically if he backed down.
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