Jowell issues 'ban on Boris' as election gets serious
Monday, 7 April 2008 12:00 AM
Ken Livingstone's Labour colleagues have reportedly been barred from calling his opponent "Boris" in a bid to prevent the Tory candidate appearing as the light-hearted choice for London.
London minister Tessa Jowell has urged ministers and MPs to refer to him by his full name or the "Conservative candidate".
She revealed she had instigated a "swear box" for any colleague caught using the normal moniker "Boris", amid concerns it fuels Mr Johnson's reputation as a the media-friendly big personality.
Staff at Labour's head office, however, said they had not received any notice banning them from campaigning against "Boris".
Speaking to Sky News, Ms Jowell said: "What we have to avoid is a situation where people think this election is a joke and that the future of London is not serious."
"Our argument, made publicly at every possible turn, is that Boris Johnson's policies for London are not serious," she added.
Mr Johnson has meanwhile accused the Livingstone camp of running a 'dirty tricks' campaign against him.
In an interview with the Telegraph, he said Ken Livingstone's supporters were "absolutely ruthlessly going around lying about what we are offering".
The Conservative candidate will today campaign on the incumbent mayor's "broken record" of promises, including polices on domestic violence, crime on public transport and recycling.
Mr Johnson said Mr Livingstone was "not a man of his word and has consistently promised to do one thing during an election, only to not deliver it afterwards."
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