Camden News: Brian Paddick, Lib Dems are split over second preference voting

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

Camden News - by RICHARD OSLEY
Published: 24 April 2008

Lib Dem London mayoral candidate Brian Paddick tours Camden Lock

Lib Dems are split over second preference voting

LIBERAL Democrat mayoral candidate Brian Paddick toured Camden Town on Friday afternoon, showering pledges to keep chain stores out of the High Street and take personal charge of the redevelopment of the Underground station.
But while the party’s membership locally are committed to supporting his campaign, insiders said there are divisions among supporters over how frank the advice they give to voters should be.
Some have openly suggested telling voters that they need to put Labour’s Ken Livingstone down as a second preference on their ballot forms or risk the prospect of Conservative challenger Boris Johnson becoming mayor.
If neither Mr Livingstone nor Mr Johnson win outright, second preference votes could decide the contest, giving Lib Dem voters a kingmaker’s say on who should be mayor – even if it isn’t their own candidate.
Lib Dem councillor Alexis Rowell is so concerned he stopped Mr Livingstone in Kilburn last weekend and warned him that he needed his party’s support. “I’m horrified that an extreme right winger like Boris Johnson might be elected,” said Cllr Rowell. “I’ll be voting for Ken second because he’s done so much to make London a more environmentally friendly city. When you look at Johnson’s shameful record and his appalling views, Lib Dems have a duty to put Ken second.”
Another Lib Dem backbencher, who declined to be named, said: “Camden clearly has a lot of people who now either actively vote Lib Dems or sympathise with what we do and are unsure about Ken.
“He should be making sure that those who vote Brian, have him down as their second preference. It’s his only chance.”
But the top two in Camden’s Lib Dems, leader Keith Moffitt and deputy Flick Rea, have both distanced themselves from the second preference debate. Cllr Rea said: “It is up to the individual to use their democratic right to decide between the lesser of two evils.”

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment: