01 November 2002
While ballot frenzy hit London Labour Party ranks this week with the closing round to choose its mayoral candidate for the 2004 elections, the Liberal Democrats admitted that they had no interested candidates or a timetable for nominations.
The fight to become Labour's candidate intensified with current deputy mayor Nicky Gavron taking the lead in one of the first union ballots.
Gavron took 65% of the T&G's vote, while West Ham MP Tony Banks took 26%. Bob Shannon, a former leader of Harrow council, polled 9%. But supporters of Banks remained upbeat and were keen to point out that the T&G holds just 3% of the unions' total 50% block vote.
The balloting closes on November 1, with the Labour leadership due to announce the results on November 6.
The Liberal Democrats, however, appear less concerned with the 2004 elections. A spokesman cheerily admitted that no timetable for choosing a candidate had been set, while 'no one has declared an interest yet'.
Former candidate Susan Kramer has remained active in London politics and is a potential contender, while Simon Hughes, MP for North Southwark and Bermondsey, could also throw his hat in the ring.
Former Conservative candidate Steven Norris told Public Finance this week that he was taking legal advice on which business interests he could retain, should he declare his nomination.
Norris said that with 'two wives and three children' he could not survive on the mayor's salary and was checking on his 'non-competing' income.
Brian Coleman, Tory GLA member for Barnet and Camden, has already declared his intention to stand as a mayoral candidate.
PFnov2002
