ECONOMIST POLL SHOWS LIVINGSTONE IS BAD VALUE FOR MONEY

7.40.20pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 3rd Jun 2004

Commenting on The Economist You Gov Poll released today, which found almost half of those surveyed believed that Ken Livingstone had provided bad value for money, and that one in four were embarrassed of Mr Livingstone representing London to the world, Liberal Democrat London Mayoral candidate, Simon Hughes, said:-

"The poll in The Economist shows that Livingstone is not a Mayor who unites London and will never be a Mayor who gets the best for London. The capital needs to be led by somebody who will put Londoners first.

"Blair's Mayor has doubled his share of the council tax over the last four years, yet almost half of Londoners do not think he is giving us value for money.

"Londoners know that while being Mayor, Mr Livingstone's remarks have done nothing to help the tourist industry in London, nothing to help international relations and nothing to help Londoners.

"With so many Londoners unhappy with the way the present Mayor has behaved, there is an overwhelming case for a change next Thursday."

ENDS