Comments on: Brian Paddick still gay choice, but Boris Johnson increases his appeal

By: John B

John B — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:40:00 +0000

"Michael, there may be other issues that Pink News readers choose not to support Ken other than his support for gay rights."I'm not sure I phrased that very well – basically, I wanted to say that being a supporter of gay rights is not the ONLY criteria that gay London might look for in a Mayor and that they have other concerns too – ie the war, transport, housing, civil liberties etc!

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By: John B

John B — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:38:00 +0000

Michael, there may be other issues that Pink News readers choose not to support Ken other than his support for gay rights.If Ken wanted to hold on to his traditional base, why is he taking them for granted by moving ever to the right?If Ken is losing support, he only has himself to blame – and if London ends up with a Tory Mayor then Ken will have let us all down.

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By: John B

John B — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:21:00 +0000

The article states:"Lindsey German 13.3 per cent (31), Sian Berry 13.8 per cent (21)"If there were 10 votes more for German then surely these percentages are wrong?Also, could you let us know who the majority of Greens voted as their second preference?Thanks.

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By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:07:00 +0000

It's a bit embarrassing that Ken Livingstone is not the runaway leader amongst lesbians and gay men. For nearly thirty years he has championed the idea that we should receive equal treatment and consideration in public life. Risking abuse and vituperation (it was a root cause of the Daily Mail/Evening Standard hate campaign against him), he opposed Section 28, helped establish the highly successful lesbian and gay community centre (which Boris Johnson's party sold off – even though the centre had become a financial success and not a "drain" on public funds), placed GLC jobs advertisements with the gay press, backed Pride marches (even joining and addressing them himself) and did more to imbue the lesbian and gay community with fighting spirit when AIDS had momentarily weakened us politically than any other politician. The man is no saint, but he has unflinchingly stuck to his guns in our support. It's a bit of a shame we plan to let him down just when, for once, he needs OUR support.

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