David Lammy MP’s recently repeated call for open primaries for the London Mayoral elections was first mooted on Liberal Conspiracy a year ago.

Nevertheless, not everyone is convinced. Writing on MayorWatch, Martin Hoscik says his call, “ignores London’s real democratic deficiencies”.

Not a single utterance on voter’s inability to reject a specific party placeman on the list of ‘top-up’ candidates while still supporting the party, not a word on increased powers for the Assembly so they can hold the Mayor to account, not a thought on ways to help voters understand how the various components of the Greater London Authority actually work, not a glance towards recall powers which would allow Londoners to hold future Mayors and AMs to account.

No, what apparently matters most to Londoners is that parties ape the X Factor and hold a series of beauty parade selection processes.

Earlier in the day, Dave Hill, writing on Commentisfree instead challenged Ken Livingstone’s viability:

it’s true that Livingstone has a strong personal following and also true that his reputation for being a “Zone 1 mayor” helped Johnson become a rallying point for suburban discontent. In practice, it might be trickier: Livingstone has declared his interest in becoming mayor again, but as yet shown no sign of adjusting his 2008 strategy.

All this strengthens a pragmatic case for Labour in London embracing the open primary idea when, after the general election, it decides how to choose its candidate. If, as Lammy suggests, candidates had to make their case to voters in every London borough, from leafy Barnet to hard-up Tower Hamlets, they’d have to fashion solid policies accordingly.

Reader comments

1. Liberal Conspiracy

   : Lammy’s call ignores “democratic deficiencies” http://bit.ly/c6kUA

2. London Posse

   Liberal Conspiracy » Lammy ignoring London’s “deficiencies” http://ow.ly/15KvBD

3. Liberal Conspiracy

   : Lammy’s call ignores "democratic deficiencies" http://bit.ly/c6kUA

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