Ken Livingstone

Ken Livingstone
World Economic Forum from Cologny, Switzerland · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Ken Livingstone
Caption	Livingstone in 2014
Office	Mayor of London
Term start	4 May 2000
Term end	4 May 2008
Predecessor	Office established
Successor	Boris Johnson
Office1	Leader of the Greater London Council
Term start1	17 May 1981
Term end1	31 March 1986
Predecessor1	Horace Cutler
Successor1	Office abolished
Birth date	17 June 1945
Birth place	Lambeth, London, England
Party	Labour (1968–2000; 2004–2018), Independent (2000–2004)
Spouse	Emma Beal (m. 2009), Christine Chapman (m. 1973; div. 1982)
Alma mater	University of London
Known for	Fares Fair policy, London congestion charge

Ken Livingstone. A prominent and often controversial figure in British politics, he served as the first directly elected Mayor of London from 2000 to 2008. Previously, he was the final Leader of the Greater London Council (GLC) from 1981 until its abolition in 1986, and a Member of Parliament for Brent East. Known for his left-wing politics and outspoken style, his career has been defined by significant policy initiatives, internal Labour Party conflicts, and enduring public controversies.

Early life and political beginnings

Born in Lambeth in 1945, he attended Tulse Hill School before studying at Philippa Fawcett College, part of the University of London. His early career involved work as a technician at the Chester Beatty Research Institute. He joined the Labour Party in 1968 and was elected to the Lambeth Borough Council in 1971. He entered the Greater London Council in 1973, quickly becoming a leading figure on its left wing, opposing the ruling Conservative administration led by Horace Cutler.

Leader of the Greater London Council

After Labour gained control in 1981, he was elected Leader of the Greater London Council. His administration was marked by a radical, socialist agenda, including the pioneering Fares Fair policy which significantly cut London Underground and bus fares. This policy led to a legal challenge from the Borough of Bromley and a famous ruling by the Law Lords. His tenure featured high-profile conflicts with the government of Margaret Thatcher, support for Irish republican causes, and outreach to ANC and PLO representatives. The GLC's opposition to Conservative policies was a key factor in its abolition by the Local Government Act 1985.

Member of Parliament and Labour Party politics

Following the GLC's abolition, he was elected as the MP for Brent East in 1987. In Parliament, he was a persistent backbench critic of the leadership of Neil Kinnock, John Smith, and particularly Tony Blair, opposing the Third Way and the reform of Clause IV. He was a vocal opponent of the Gulf War and later, the Iraq War. His independent stance frequently placed him at odds with the New Labour project and the party's National Executive Committee.

Mayor of London

After the creation of the new Greater London Authority, he stood as an independent candidate after being blocked from the Labour nomination, defeating official candidate Frank Dobson. As the first Mayor of London, his major achievements included the introduction of the London congestion charge, the pioneering Oyster card system, and successful bids for the 2012 Summer Olympics and the Crossrail project. He oversaw improvements in bus services and promoted policies on climate change, LGBT rights, and living wage. Re-admitted to Labour, he won re-election in 2004 but was defeated by Boris Johnson in 2008.

Post-mayoral career and controversies

After leaving City Hall, he remained a media commentator and served on the Iranian television network Press TV. His post-mayoral career has been dominated by controversies, most significantly regarding comments about Adolf Hitler and Zionism which led to his suspension from the Labour Party in 2016. An investigation by the Equality and Human Rights Commission was highly critical, and he was ultimately expelled from the party in 2018 for breaches of its rules on anti-Semitism. He has since been largely absent from frontline politics.

Political views and legacy

A self-described socialist, his political views have consistently been on the left, encompassing democratic socialist, republican, and environmentalist positions. He was an early advocate for LGBT rights, Irish unity, and Palestinian statehood. His legacy is deeply contested; he is credited with revitalizing London's transport and securing the 2012 Summer Olympics, but his career is also indelibly marked by bitter party divisions and the controversies that led to his expulsion from the Labour Party.

Category:1945 births Category:Living people Category:Mayors of London Category:Leaders of the Greater London Council Category:Labour Party (UK) MPs for London constituencies