Christian Wolmar to (try and) run for London Mayor

[whole diary]

[EBrown]

Christian Wolmar is going to try for the labour nomination for London Mayor in 2016.

More in tomorrow's Times.

[Btline]

Eh? Why?

Surely London's not just about railways? True he is quite political, but I'vr never heard his opinions on the police, immigration, taxes, etc.

[ellendune]

Surely London's not just about railways? True he is quite political, but I'vr never heard his opinions on the police, immigration, taxes, etc.

The Mayor of London doesn't have any powers over immigration policy or over taxes. 

Police - Yes

[JayMac]

Admirable, if true*, that he's sticking his head above the parapet, but little hope of being a serious contender for Mayor. But then stranger things have happened. Heck, Boris won!

He could try going for a London Assembly seat, but even then he's unlikely to come close to winning if he's not part of a party machine. Will Labour welcome him and favour him over more established party members? And I don't see him fitting easily into the Labour Party. Slightly more chance of picking up one of the Proportional Representation 'London-wide Member' Assembly seats. But still a long shot.

The cynic in me sees his possible candidacy as nothing more than raising his own profile and agenda. Running for public office is a relatively cheap way (only a deposit to lose) to garner publicity. And why announce his intention to run four years before the election? The World's Greatest Living Transport Correspondent hasn't got a new book out has he?



*EDIT: It is true, TWGLTC has been saying as much on his twitter feed.  https://twitter.com/christianwolmar/status/245262742741733377

[Btline]

Really? I thought Ken introduced an Olympic tax supplement for Londoners, low emission zone, plus the Congestion Charge Tax.

[EBrown]

if true*,

*EDIT: It is true, TWGLTC has been saying as much on his twitter feed.  https://twitter.com/christianwolmar/status/245262742741733377

Wow, it's almost as if I post things with sources.

[JayMac]

Wow, it's almost as if I post things with sources.

You're forgiven. Mentioning The Thunderer was enough for me to believe (with a small caveat) what you posted. 

I wasn't about to break the pay-wall though and quote the article, so went looking for other sources. Nothing better than a tweet from the horse's mouth. 

[Southern Stag]

It's something he's been mentioning since June:
http://railwayeye.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/tsc-turns-into-election-hustings.html

From his June newsletter:
"I have been asked by a few people whether I would like to try to get the Labour nomination for London mayor next time. Although initially I thought that was plain daft, I have begun to think seriously about it."

[broadgage]

Really? I thought Ken introduced an Olympic tax supplement for Londoners, low emission zone, plus the Congestion Charge Tax.

AFAIK^▸ (as far as I know), council tax IS partialy under the control of the mayor, and was increased to pay towards the games.
The congestion charge is in theory a charge, like a charge for parking or use of a swiming pool, and not a tax.
The low emission zone is likewise considered to be a charge and not a tax.

[EBrown]

I won't copy and paste the text in, but you can look at his website to avoid the Times 'pay wall'.

http://www.wolmarforlondon.co.uk/why-im-standing/

[Btline]

Hmmm...

I like what he has to say, but I fear it is:

a) Too focused on transport;

b) Too anti car;

...for most Londoners. I think most Londoners will also want a focus on tax and crime in addition to transport.
The anti traffic argument won't win him votes from small businesses in zone 2&3 that rely on cars and vans - possible Labour supporters.

But I suppose the rest of the car loving affluent suburbans will vote Tory anyway - these people would vote Tory even if a rat stood as the candidate.

[grahame]

And for parliament ...

Christian Wolmar "is an award winning writer and broadcaster specialising in transport and is the author of a series of books on railway history."  [full biography of which that is the start at http://www.christianwolmar.co.uk/biography/ ] polled 1,515 votes in last Thursday's byelection at Richond Park, coming a distant third to Sarah Olney (Lib Dem) and Zac Goldsmith (Independent). He stood on behalf of the Labour Party, in a constitueancy where it would have been a major upset had he won.

Full story on The BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

The Liberal Democrats have caused a major upset in the Richmond Park by-election, overturning a 23,015 majority to oust ex-Tory MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) Zac Goldsmith.
Mr Goldsmith stood as an independent after leaving the Conservative Party in protest at the government's decision to back a third Heathrow runway.
But Lib Dem Sarah Olney, who is also opposed to Heathrow expansion, fought the campaign on the issue of Brexit.
Labour's Christian Wolmar lost his £500 deposit as he trailed a distant third.

[continues]

[ChrisB]

It should be noted that there are more than 1,515 signed-up Labour Party members in that constituency

[Red Squirrel]

It should be noted that there are more than 1,515 signed-up Labour Party members in that constituency

As indeed it has been:

And Labour, which won fewer votes than it has members in the seat, must bang heads together to get a clear, less contested approach to Brexit.

Source: The Guardian