Boris and Ken still fighting for votes

Wednesday, 30 April 2008 12:00 AM

Campaigning for the London mayoral election is entering its last full day today as Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson compete to win over wavering supporters in the capital.

Polls show the margin between the two has closed in recent weeks and the pair are now seeking to persuade uncertain voters they are the best choices for London.

Mr Livingstone's campaign says momentum is moving in the incumbent Labour mayor's favour ahead of tomorrow's vote, with one million postcards bearing the message "don't vote for a joke - vote for London" dispatched to households today.

Boris Johnson, meanwhile, has sent out a "personal message" to voters appealing on them to "hold Ken Livingstone to account".

"If Ken Livingstone wins on Thursday, it is another four long years of waste, deceit, scandal, cronyism, crime and congestion," Mr Johnson said.

"He will revert to form - nothing will change and Livingstone and Labour will think they can continue to ignore Londoners' real concerns."

Mr Johnson has come under attack from the Livingstone campaign over his plans for the freedom pass, which gives free travel to all those over 60.

Labour supporters are concerned by his failure to match Mr Livingstone's annual £20 million pledge to keep the pass operational.

"The series of attacks on the freedom pass by Boris Johnson supporters, such as the claim that it is a 'stealth tax' and the savage attack on the 24-hour freedom pass policy released by Boris Johnson's campaign on Monday, demonstrate what would be in store if Boris Johnson became mayor," Mr Livingstone commented.

Mr Johnson issued a forceful denial of Labour claims that he plans to scrap the pass at the weekend, attacking the Livingstone campaign's "dirty tricks".

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