Galloway starts bid for Mayor with cheeky jibes
GEORGE Galloway has entered the race to become London’s mayor in his usual sharp-tongued style – describing the “three main political parties” as “three cheeks of the same a**e”.
The Respect Party leader, who lost his seat as Bradford West MP to Labour last month, also hit out at the current mayoral incumbent Boris Johnson, calling him a “blond buffoon”.
In a wide-ranging speech to the Ethical Society in Holborn, London, he also suggested an annual Battle of Britain weekend – “a mixture of celebrity and fun”, and a recreation of the spirit of the Blitz.
On a more serious note, the veteran politician also vowed to tackle London’s “social housing crisis” and outlined a range of policies designed to clamp down on what he described as the “social cleansing” of the city.
The 60-year-old said he would compulsory purchase residential properties left vacant for at least one year, and said planning consent would not be granted to any new-builds unless at least 50 per centwas social or affordable housing.
He said: “I will tackle the housing crisis as my number one priority. We will compulsory purchase – and we have the power to do so – any house that has been unlived in, without a proper excuse, for one year or more.”
He said “house prices and backbreaking rents are driving people further and further to the edge of London, literally and metaphorically”.
Labour has announced six candidates will vie to represent the party – Dame Tessa Jowell, MPs Sadiq Khan, David Lammy, Diane Abbott and Gareth Thomas, and journalist Christian Wolmar.