Ken Livingstone is 60 today. The mayor has no official engagements today, but the London Assembly Lib Dems lost no time in wishing him a happy birthday. "Mr Livingstone is now entitled to his Freedom Pass that will allow him to travel across the capital free of charge," a spokesman said today. "The Liberal Democrats are hoping that with his new bus pass, the mayor will take the opportunity to visit many of the outer London areas that he has neglected over the last five years."
Actually, he won't be collecting the bus pass he's entitled to - and anyway, a free travelcard is one of the perks of working at City Hall. The mayor has enjoyed remarkable popularity ratings among Londoners since he was elected in 2000, and few would bet against his running for a third term in 2008. But his detractors sense impending trouble. They say Livingstone has neglected the binge drinking and traffic problems of suburban areas like Sutton and Croydon in favour of big inner city projects, and has failed to do enough to improve the Underground or combat congestion. No doubt his critics will be out in force at the 2005 State of London debate next week. Register now if you want to attend.
