Wednesday 1 August 2007

Latter day Dick Whittington

This may or may not be a silly season story. Lembit Opik is considering running as the Liberal Democrat candidate for London mayor.

The leader of the Welsh Lib Dems says the speculation linking him with the job is "ever so flattering".

"If I was a London MP I would stand like a shot. The only issue is my constituency is 205 miles away."

That may indeed be an issue with local party activists in Montgomeryshire, but Opik is clearly undeterred after positive comments from an aide to party leader Sir Menzies Campbell.

Sir Menzies can expect a call. "I think I might go and have a chat with the boss to see what's going on. The momentum seems to be developing a life of its own."

Is London ready for a fight between Ken Livingstone, Boris Johnson and Lembit Opik?

"Me, Boris and Ken would be a splendid contest. It would get a lot of interest and get the public voting as well."

It's a toss-up who will be more delighted by the news - Tory Montgomeryshire candidate Glyn Davies or would-be Welsh Lib Dem leader Eleanor Burnham AM.

The creation of directly-elected mayors has certainly led to a more presidential politics although this three-way fight could perhaps be less of an election campaign and more of a reality TV series.

Opik's connections with London may not be as strong as those of his rivals - judging by the photograph above he appears a little confused about the concept of a Chelsea tractor.

Still, I can't wait for the Hello! election pull-out.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I think Mr Opik should quickly decide who he wants to represent - Montgomeryshire, London or the world.

With Mr Glyn Davies (Conservative) now officially his opposition at the next General Election we need to know who the Liberal Democrats will be nominating if it isn't Mr Opik.