TMP Online

Despite a difficult two months, during which the Evening Standard newspaper has waged a concerted campaign against him and his advisors, and Channel 4 broadcast a “Dispatches” programme highly critical of him, the latest You Gov/ITV poll shows that London Labour Mayor Ken Livingstone has increased his lead in the polls over his Conservative rival, Boris Johnson MP.

The poll shows Livingstone on 44%, whilst Johnson – who is strongly supported by the Evening Standard – is on 40%, with the Liberal Democrats Brian Paddick on 8%. Notably the poll was conducted after the broadcast of the Dispatches programme which was widely reported.

A spokesperson for Livingstone’s campaign said:
“This is a welcome opening up of Ken’s lead, especially as Internet polling has always underestimated Ken’s support compared to actual elections and other opinion polls.
“The election for Mayor will be decided on the key issues of transport, crime, affordable housing, good community relations and the environment and Londoners will refuse to be distracted by nonsense and falsifications being spouted out daily in media storms from his opponents.
“Ken will run on his record and extending London’s success into a third term. He has already announced two new commitments - to extend the hours of the Freedom Pass to a twenty four hour service and his plan to extend student travel discounts - and others will follow on the environment, crime, good community relations, transport and housing.”

Meanwhile, Johnson’s campaign came under fire during the weekend amid charges of conflict of interest when it was revealed that his London mayoral campaign is receiving financial support from a controversial Japanese company that has clashed with Livingstone’s office over multimillion-pound plans for development in the capital.

The Mayoral poll takes place in May, later this year.