News from London Assembly Labour

Val Shawcross to be Ken Livingston’s running mate

Ken Livingstone today announced that Labour Assembly member, Val Shawcross, will be his running mate for the position of deputy mayor of London. He said that after weeks of Boris Johnson failing to get a grip on transport disruption and tube strikes and showing poor leadership during bad weather and the fire dispute, London needed a competent team with fresh ideas and an understanding of the concerns of the whole of London.

Val Shawcross AM said: “I am looking forward to working with Ken to build a winning campaign to win back the Mayoralty and then to get London back on track based on protecting Londoners in difficult times and showing that there is a fairer alternative to the cuts and higher fares of the government and Boris Johnson.

“It is becoming clearer by the day London’s Conservative Mayor is out of his depth and is failing to get a grip on his day job. Last week parts of London were paralysed by snow, delays on the tube have become the norm and vital public services such as the police are being cut.

“In uncertain times we don’t need an uncertain mayor. Londoners need an administration in City hall which is on their side and will always stand up for them. It is clear that Boris Johnson is failing to do this.”

Making the announcement, Ken Livingstone said: “I’m delighted that Val has agreed to be my running mate for the 2012 election and she will begin work immediately by leading the campaign in the coming weeks against the Conservatives’ unfair fare increases.

“Val is an extremely able, competent and talented advocate for London who will bring a new perspective and a fresh approach combined with a proven understanding of the whole of London to Labour’s campaign to win back City Hall in 2012.

“While Boris Johnson’s administration fails to get a grip from transport chaos to tube and fire strikes and fare increases, Val Shawcross is extremely capable and in touch with ordinary Londoners.”

Ken made the announcement during a visit with Val Shawcross to Timebridge Youth Centre in Croydon. Ken and Val met local residents. Croydon’s Conservative council are considering cuts to the popular youth club and activities that run from Timebridge Youth Centre.

Ken’s decision to ask Val Shawcross to run as his Deputy Mayor reflects his commitment to build a fresh and talented campaign team and if elected deliver real improvements for Londoners.

Val Shawcross was elected leader of Croydon council in 1997 and delivered the Croydon Tram project, the regeneration of Croydon town centre and stable council finances. Val is currently Chair of the London Assembly Transport committee and exposed Boris Johnson’s failures to hold fares down, invest in outer London and deliver real improvements for cyclists.

Ken Livingstone also praised Nicky Gavron AM, who served as his running mate in 2004 and 2008. He said: “Nicky Gavron played a vital role in developing London’s leading-edge climate change policies and in putting together a planning framework that enabled London to move forward after years in which the city had no clear direction. I will be announcing our team for City Hall if we win in due course, but I’m pleased to say that Nicky will be driving our agenda on these issues for a Labour administration if I am fortunate enough to be elected in 2012.”

Other news from London Assembly Labour

• Labour council Leader works full shift with gritting teams - 21 January 2013
• Boris Johnson's back to work hangover for Londoners - 2 January 2013
• Every Labour voter must turn out today or the Tories will get away with it - 3 May 2012