Livingstone shame

I'm usually one for accepting that occasionally politicians mis-speak and we should let it pass, but I think Ken Livingstone has gone a bit too far this time.

On the back of calling someone a Nazi concentration camp guard a few years ago, he has now said that his London opponent, Boris Johnson, is like Hitler. He also says that the poll will be a contest between good and evil.

Finally, he goes on to say that anyone not voting for him will burn in hell.

He was probably joking and meant it all light-heartedly, but many a true word spoken in jest. I think the jokey comment belies his true inner feelings. So maybe not a joke at all.

Quite a few people on the left think that people on the right are evil. Only today I was reading an article by John Redwood responding to John Harris in a newspaper. Mr Harris thought Redwood seemed to like inequality and poverty. Mr Redwood had to respond that he believes in getting rid of inequality and liberties as much as the next man, but through different means.

We don't believe in paying people to keep them in the ghetto, whilst taxing people so hard that they think working isn't important. We think responsibility, self-respect and saving more of the money you earn will encourage people to make a life for themselves.

Ken believes that these views are wrong, possibly evil. I may disagree with him, but I believe he wants to do good even if he is mistaken in the means. But he has proved that he is not fit to be Mayor again.

Squiffy.