Ken Livingstone

I suppose that one's perspective upon Ken Livingstone is going to have a major bearing on one's view of this book. Ken is too well known a character for anyone not to have a preconception.

For my part, I have always quite liked him but, I have been disappointed by the silly 'Hitler' storm that broke a while back. I do not see what he hoped to achieve by mentioning the Fuhrer in the context of the Jewish people. This tome was penned before this incident so, it doesn't really shed any light on show more the matter.

The main thing that I picked up from reading this was, that our political system is in desperate need of reform. Ken points out many dirty tricks played, mainly by the Tories, but which are undoubtedly replicated by the left and certainly by Blairite Labour political workers. Whilst this may be seen, by those currently in the sphere, as 'playing the game' or the pros and cons of everyday politics, it is clearly off putting to the man, or woman, in the street.

Ken Livingstone may be one of those politicians who might be described as Marmite, but no one could accuse him of not being committed to his beliefs and this is a great story of his dedication and, on the whole, achievements for the average person. show less

An odd read in the first few chapters, where Ken just seemed to be setting up simple life lessons from each chapter. Once he had been elected the rollercoaster from winning control of the GLC to abolition to winning the Mayoralty in 2000 then losing it in 2008 was a great read, especially for those who were around at the time and remember that ripe cast of characters. It does get more than a bit self-exculpatory over the decline in his second term as Mayor and 2008 defeat , and the the last show more chapter is a fairly weak critique of politics and Boris in particular that did not bode well for the 2012 election. He's gone but I wish him well. In the end, like most politicians, he was in large part the author of his own defeat. show less