Ken says no to "Black Death" Boris

7:55am Friday 25th April 2008

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London life with Boris Johnson as mayor would be like the Black Death of the Middle Ages, according to Ken Livingstone.

The current mayor, fighting for a third term in City Hall, likened a Tory-led mayorship to the black plague, one of the deadliest in history, at the launch of his manifesto in Wood Green on Thursday.

He also expressed his disappointment in Brian Paddick, the Liberal Democrat candidate for mayor, who has refused to encourage voters to choose Labour as their second preference.

Speaking at the West Indian Cultural Centre, Clarendon Road, Mr Livingstone said: "Brian Paddick said he doesn't like me because, apparently, I don't like him, so we're not exactly going to go shopping together. But our policies are similar and it will help keep people like Boris Johnson out.

"Having Boris as mayor would be like reliving the Black Death of the Middle Ages or almost as bad as that."

And the mayor also condemned the Henley MP for his boast on a talk-show last week that he could "out-ethnic" its Asian host.

He added: "Boris would be incredibly divisive. London needs a mayor who will also respect and empower the communities who are different."

With just a week before voters head to the polls on May 1, Mr Livingstone said he was feeling confident about his campaign and urged voters to think carefully about who they gave their vote to.

He said he had been overwhelmed' by the support he had received in Hornsey and depsite a strong Lib Dem presence, he felt he would score well with residents.

Alvin Elcock, manager of the West Indian Centre, Clarendon Road, said: "I feel that Ken is the best man for the job.

"He is experienced and has a long-standing relationship with people from this community. But, ultimately, whichever candidate is going to invest money into the voluntary sector is fine by me.

"Community centres and youth projects need more money."