So who's telling the truth? City Hall contenders focus fire on trust game
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The three main candidates were greeted with cheers, amused booing – and some mooing. Later on the BNP candidate registered his protest at not being on the platform. He had a very Italian accent (is the party at risk of confusing its supporters?).
We had heckling, yelling, laughter, talented abuse, clever needling and just the right amount of quiet listening. It was a full hall, a lively evening, a terrific evening for London politics.
"He's not telling the truth; he knows he's not telling the truth." Who said that? They all did, at one point. Ringmaster Clive Anderson – to whom the good humoured tenor of the debate was largely due – summed up two claims with the words, "I don't know who to trust."
There was – according to Ken – Boris' disastrous record on crime, transport, environment, investment. While according to Boris, there was Ken's relentless mendacity.
Ken said he brought down tube crime; Boris said tube crime had gone up 521 per cent. Both were fighting their reputation – in Boris's case earnest, serious, and a bit boring as befits a man with "a nine-point plan".
Ken went so far as to challenge Clive Anderson to a press-up competition. That's not quite wise for a winning candidate. But judging by the audience reaction Ken isn't getting back into the mayoralty.
A number of good ideas. Brian Paddick is going to offer a one-hour bus pass and take senior policemen's perks away (will he stop drawing the £64,000 police pension we're paying him?). Ken is going to get wholesale energy prices for domestic users.
Ken's best lines were all about Boris; his biggest applause was quoting the Mayor declining to come back to London "because it would be rewarding the rioters".
The best lines about Ken came from our good-humoured compere who pressed him pleasantly but with fearsome clarity about his tax affairs. The hall broke into growling, rumbling, moblike muttering, punctuated with exclamations of disgust.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments