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See the original image at news.bbc.co.uk

Boris Johnson is the new Mayor of London.

news.bbc.co.uk — Boris Johnson is the new Mayor of London. Ken is gone, yippee!

Bury
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  • tekn04, on 05/03/2008, -33/+18Great speech. I know Boris' son and so he came to my school one time to speak.
    It's funny how similar the speech and the one at my school were.
    GO BORIS!!!
    • domr, on 05/03/2008, -24/+29Unfortunately, we've elected our very own George W.

      People laugh at his antics, but he's already proven that he is a nasty, vindictive person underneath that thin veneer of idiocy.
      • markdr123, on 05/03/2008, -8/+12Fortunately, he will have nowhere near as much influence as George Dubya has.
      • hutchy, on 05/03/2008, -11/+16there is no way he can be as bad as ken was
      • Harabeck, on 05/03/2008, -4/+6GW is not nasty and vidictive. Hes an ignorant moron. When you watch him you feel sorry for how retarded he must be.
      • groovechamp30, on 05/03/2008, -1/+18He's not as stupid as Dubya.
      • Myonosken, on 05/03/2008, -5/+12Nasty and vindictive? The guy says some pretty daft things, yes, but many occasions its taken out of context. Its nearly universally recognised that Stephen Lawrence's mother was in the wrong when she accused him of racism just because he didn't wholly agree with the MacPherson report.
        Plus I'd like to see Dubya take down a German.
      • mickstephenson, on 05/03/2008, -10/+5Fantastic, we have passed the point where democracy has become so meaningless we elect people based on comic value. Fortunately I live far away in a strong Labour constituency that I can just sit back and enjoy the performance. I feel sorry for the poor people of London who voted for Livingstone and Paddick who now have to live in this slapstick farce. At least we should get some good Youtube videos out of this in a few years, perhaps even on a level to compete with the Bush videos.
      • 0zzy, on 05/03/2008, -0/+6He's against the war, said to stop the Bush Administration from escalating a war with Iran, and is pro-civil liberties.

        No, he is not like George W.
    • sjl127, on 05/03/2008, -8/+11Conservatism is back again!!!
    • FuckThaMeme, on 05/03/2008, -3/+1hah, this is our new London Mayor:
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWIUp19bBoA
    • pigfister, on 05/03/2008, -6/+9what a slap in the face to labour, the ppl would rather a conservative buffoon than one of them.

      I wonder WHY?

      http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-3351275 ...

      FTA: TAKING LIBERTIES is a shocking but hilarious polemic documentary that charts the destruction of all your Basic Liberties under 10 Years of New Labour. Released to coincide with Tony Blair's departure, the film and the book follow the stories of normal people who's lives have been turned upside down by injustice - from being arrested for holding a placard outside parliament to being tortured in Guantanamo Bay. THIS IS WHAT YOU DON'T READ IN THE PAPERS! THIS IS WHAT YOU DON'T SEE ON TV! AND IT'S HAPPENING TO YOU!
  • KingDaveRa, on 05/03/2008, -12/+45Love the impartiality of the OP...
    • sl9sl9, on 05/03/2008, -2/+1Your comment is an inverted pyramid of piffle.
  • Pottypotsworth, on 05/03/2008, -5/+108London is in for an interesting four years...

    "I don't see why people are so snooty about Channel 5. It has some respectable documentaries about the Second World War. It also devotes considerable airtime to investigations into lap dancing, and other related and vital subjects." - Boris Johnson
    • joeydoo, on 05/03/2008, -15/+8.... and an "Interesting" Olympics if Boris turns out to be even more retarded than Ken. They'll be jumping Polish builders for the hundred meter hurdles.
    • willywong, on 05/04/2008, -0/+1They stole neighbours!!
    • fuckinlogin, on 05/04/2008, -4/+1An insane ***** replaced by a retarded moron. (yeah that's worse than a normal moron)
      Well to be fair to Boris he is also partially crazy (omg bendy buses must DIE!) but not as much as "Red Ken".
      The issue is going to be how competent the people around him are, since labelling Boris as incompetent is a major understatement...
      Interesting times indeed. Meh, just keep my suburbs relatively free from chavs and keep the infrastructure in the Square Mile in shape and maintain the cop visibility on the streets to keep the trash out. I don't have the energy to care about anything else anymore.
  • junkstore, on 05/03/2008, -17/+76Epic win.
    • richardpryor, on 05/03/2008, -12/+1Not for the people of America.
      • mwrl, on 05/03/2008, -17/+11Nope, your getting a socialist liberal no matter who wins. Glad I am moving to England! First France goes right now England! Maybe the world will end up okay after all. Four years of a lefty in office in the US will make everyone remember why we don't want them in power!
        • roboticrickshaw, on 05/04/2008, -1/+4You are going to get some suprise when you find out that europes center right are closer to the "socialist liberals" (thats an oxymoron but you woudnt know because your a maricon) youy hate
    • Po0py, on 05/03/2008, -10/+4One bafoon replaced by another.
  • widgetmaker, on 05/03/2008, -23/+20Good riddace, however Boris could be an interesting leader...
    • dsmx, on 05/03/2008, -0/+8Considering how often boris puts his foot in his mouth your probably right.
      • geekchic, on 05/03/2008, -0/+1Well, we've had eight years of Ken putting his foot in his mouth as well - so I doubt anything much will change in that regard.
  • Ekpyrotic, on 05/03/2008, -23/+13Green Party took 4th, good beat over BNP and the other right wing minor parties. I hope the assembly votes favour Green too, when they're confirmed. Any other green supporters?
    • Harrison88, on 05/03/2008, -9/+14Go green, get more taxes! We can only come up with one policy!
      I can see why people would be flocking to vote green...
      • Ekpyrotic, on 05/03/2008, -6/+7I would like to correct you on three counts.

        (1) If you have the time, please read the London Manifesto. http://london.greenparty.org.uk/files/manifesto/lo ... The Green Party aren't just pro-environment; we are pro-equality, for raising the minimum wage, cutting the cost of public transport, and buliding more affordable housing in London. To list a few.

        (2) People are moving towards Green. We have 2 representatives in the London Assembly. And, on Thursday, became the main opposition to Labour in Norwich. Two more councillors mean we'll secure the constituency; Norwich Greens hope to do this the next general election - the statistics predict this too.

        On top of that, 4 years ago the Greens finished 7th in the London Mayoral election, this year we finished 4th! With 20,000 more votes than 4 years ago. Great news!

        (3) The Green Party stand for both environmental and social reform, so increasing tax increases will be balanced with a higher minimum wage and general better living. Unfortunately, tax increases have to be faced if we are going to overcome economic, social and environmental problems. The Greens seem the only party to have the confidence to say the truth.

        Thanks.
        • Harrison88, on 05/03/2008, -1/+3How can higher taxes go in line with higher standard of living? Surely if I have more disposable income I can spend it on what ever would make me happy and not spend it on what ever the people elected think would make me happy. I'm sure I've read that EU countries have lower taxes but lower social problems. Pouring more tax money in to different policies doesn't mean the problem will be fixed.
          I'm also from Widnes, near Liverpool, not London but I could see why you made the assumption from the fact I've replied to an article about London.
          • niczar, on 05/03/2008, -0/+1Why whine about higher taxes in London, those scum sucking traders in the City produce nothing real, why shouldn't they be asked to contribute something through taxes?
          • Ekpyrotic, on 05/03/2008, -2/+2I disagree with you on three points.

            (1) I don't think that individual material wealth necessarily means a happier life. A small decrease in my disposable income will not make me a less satisfied person, especially if the money has been invested in green areas where I can go and read, or enjoy the environment.

            (2) There comes a time when we have to cut some luxuries to secure the future of the world. We can either have all the money, or we can have the world. Unfortunately, they are mutally exclusive.

            (3) Greening the economy will bring long term benefits to our GDP, and individual wealth.
          • Harrison88, on 05/05/2008, -0/+31. We're not talking about a small decrease though. Even a small % increase in taxes hits families hard. I'm sure with the current financial situation for many families an extra few pound would make their life a lot easier. Taxing them further would break them and mess up the economy even further.

            2. As I said in 1, most can just about afford to live at the moment. The ST issues we're having is more important than LT health. Once we're over then we can address LT issues. Don't get me wrong, if tomorrow someone made a source of power which was more efficient and as reliable as coal and gas I'd be all for it. However, choosing more expensive, less reliable and less efficient systems doesn't benefit future growth. I suppose a counter argument to this would be that economies of scale would bring down the prices but then you'd still have the problem of reliability, efficiency and safety.

            3. Greening the economy will bring zero benefits. It costs more money and businesses are only putting money in to those schemes for ethical and tax reasons. Can you give me one example of a way a green system would increase my economic wealth please?
    • TheLD, on 05/03/2008, -7/+13Greenparty is a wasted vote
      • powatom, on 05/03/2008, -7/+5Well the more people who waste their vote on them, the better for the Green party!
        • Ekpyrotic, on 05/03/2008, -3/+6Not at all, for two reasons:

          (1) Greens are making real progress, and we're expecting to take our first constituency in the next General! (Norwich) We already have a great number of councillors throughout the UK; 5 more secured on Thurday.

          (2) Why not vote for Green if you agree with their policies?

          (3) Unfortunately, the Greens are the only ones who can keep BNP (British National Party, extreme right racist group) out of London. This, alone, makes the Greens a worthwhile vote.
          • Harrison88, on 05/03/2008, -0/+4You cannot honestly say that the Green party stopped the BNP from being elected in London can you? The UKIP and BNP are practically the same party anyway.
          • powatom, on 05/03/2008, -1/+1I was agreeing with you...

            The more people who 'waste' their vote on the green party - the better it is for the green party. How can you not understand that?
          • Ekpyrotic, on 05/03/2008, -2/+1I apologise Harrison88, having thought you lived in London I assumed you were accustomed with the voting system.

            "only ones who can keep BNP (British National Party, extreme right racist group) out of London"

            When I said this I meant the London Assembly. :) So, yes the Greens can keep the BNP out.
          • Ekpyrotic, on 05/03/2008, -1/+1Sorry Powatom it was suppose to be a response to TheLD. Thanks for pointing out my mistake.
    • BECoole, on 05/03/2008, -2/+2No. We try to keep the idiocy to a minimum.
    • kieranmaine, on 05/04/2008, -0/+1I agree with most of the Green Party policies, but I think they could do a lot better at presenting themselves. As Harrison88 shows us people simply associate the green party with more taxes and nothing else. Since most people can't be bothered to read their policies, the green party need to present a few clear policies that show they could actually save people a lot of money. Until they do I think the green party will stand little chance of getting anywhere.
  • editopen, on 05/03/2008, -46/+27A sad day for London.
    • NSResponder, on 05/03/2008, -12/+5What, a peaceful transfer of power is a sad day?

      -jcr
    • superkendall, on 05/03/2008, -8/+23London seems pretty happy. Sad day for you I guess.
      • maxmccabe, on 05/03/2008, -10/+6no he is a ***** conservative
        very sad day
        • ShadowMerchant, on 05/03/2008, -3/+9Suck it, lefty. The Right rules.
      • HenvY, on 05/03/2008, -3/+12"if gay marriage was OK - and I was uncertain on the issue - then I saw no reason in principle why a union should not be consecrated between three men, as well as two men, or indeed three men and a dog."
        "It is time to reassert British values…That means disposing of the first taboo, and accepting that the problem is Islam. Islam is the problem. To any non-Muslim reader of the Koran, Islamophobia — fear of Islam — seems a natural reaction, and, indeed, exactly what that text is intended to provoke. Judged purely on its scripture — to say nothing of what is preached in the mosques — it is the most viciously sectarian of all religions. The trouble with this disgusting arrogance and condescension is that it is widely supported in Koranic texts, and we look in vain for the enlightened Islamic teachers and preachers who will begin the process of reform. What is going on in these mosques and madrasas? "When is someone going to get 18th century on Islam’s mediaeval ass?"
        "the tribal warriors will all break out in watermelon smiles to see the big white chief"
        "it is said the Queen has come to love the Commonwealth, partly because it supplies her with regular cheering crowds of flag-waving piccaninnies".
        -Boris Johnson
    • error2k2, on 05/03/2008, -11/+8I can't believe you're getting buried, ffs, if people hated Ken so much then why didn't they vote for Brian Paddick instead. Boris is not the best alternative.
    • Myonosken, on 05/03/2008, -2/+9I dunno they voted for him.
      Plus I don't have to live there so I get the bonus of Johnson being in power without any repercussions if he ***** up.
      • reginaldino, on 05/03/2008, -8/+1hmm, so if Boris ***** up the centre of the world economy there can be no repercussions. Wow, i'm so short-sighted
        • Myonosken, on 05/03/2008, -2/+11As London mayor how is he going to have a major effect on the economy? OH NO OUR BINS AREN'T EMPTIED TODAY, RECESSIOOOOON
    • mickstephenson, on 05/03/2008, -4/+1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHFK1yKfiGo
      I think this video pretty much sums up the repercussions of todays result
  • FuckThaMeme, on 05/03/2008, -14/+7This is great news. It's like a plot-line you'd normally see in a soap opera or something.
  • Jon211, on 05/03/2008, -12/+7He may not have the best public speaking skills ever (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wrSUeDxBhg, even Arnie thinks he's struggling!) but I think he's got some good ideas and am interested to see how he will do.
    To be honest pretty much anything would be better than Ken getting another 4 years.
    • HenvY, on 05/03/2008, -3/+3"if gay marriage was OK - and I was uncertain on the issue - then I saw no reason in principle why a union should not be consecrated between three men, as well as two men, or indeed three men and a dog."
      "It is time to reassert British values…That means disposing of the first taboo, and accepting that the problem is Islam. Islam is the problem. To any non-Muslim reader of the Koran, Islamophobia — fear of Islam — seems a natural reaction, and, indeed, exactly what that text is intended to provoke. Judged purely on its scripture — to say nothing of what is preached in the mosques — it is the most viciously sectarian of all religions. The trouble with this disgusting arrogance and condescension is that it is widely supported in Koranic texts, and we look in vain for the enlightened Islamic teachers and preachers who will begin the process of reform. What is going on in these mosques and madrasas? "When is someone going to get 18th century on Islam’s mediaeval ass?"
      "the tribal warriors will all break out in watermelon smiles to see the big white chief"
      "it is said the Queen has come to love the Commonwealth, partly because it supplies her with regular cheering crowds of flag-waving piccaninnies".
      -Boris Johnson
  • jimlovett, on 05/03/2008, -37/+46You must be kidding, is this April 1st? Vote Ken out if you must but to vote that fool in is not a good plan for London. I live outside London but go there a lot and believe in the things Ken has done. I fear for the future now. OMG!
    • ByteGuerilla, on 05/03/2008, -13/+8Red Ken is a State Capitalist fool. Having Boris the nutjob in there is much better for London.
      • alexforcefive, on 05/03/2008, -1/+2Oh wow, I thought you were joking, but then I read the rest of your comments... Are you just having a particularly trolly day? Your user icon sort of ruins the effect :p
    • kevside, on 05/04/2008, -0/+1you know they only voted for boris because he's a bit crazy. everyone just wants to see him do something stupid like with the whole liverpool thing
  • markdr123, on 05/03/2008, -11/+66Well, anyone who can use the phrase "inverted pyramid of piffle" gets my vote.
  • TheDiceMan, on 05/03/2008, -34/+33My own opinion is that this is a protest vote too far and we will rue the day 'we' ever elected him.

    I'd actually put this on par with Dubya winning a second term, the sheer idiocy of it is astounding.

    • EwMo, on 05/03/2008, -13/+11Well that's bold. Do you have anything to back it up?
      • Ramble, on 05/03/2008, -11/+8Just look at the man and his policies?
        • Myonosken, on 05/03/2008, -6/+13He actually has pretty sound policies. Why don't YOU look at them.
          • niczar, on 05/03/2008, -3/+2True, if by "sound policies" you mean bigotry and racism.
        • kazamx, on 05/03/2008, -4/+11Focus on lowering crime on buses and the Underground. More accountability on the finances of the Olympics? Seem pretty good to me. looking into a new Airport in London? While it will be unpopular with the Greens its something that should be looked into. While the man is a bit of a comedy figure, we also know he has good people around him.
      • superkendall, on 05/03/2008, -9/+3Just his ability to look through the world with Bush-hating glasses, covering and distorting everything he see (including reality).
      • HenvY, on 05/03/2008, -3/+8"if gay marriage was OK - and I was uncertain on the issue - then I saw no reason in principle why a union should not be consecrated between three men, as well as two men, or indeed three men and a dog."
        "It is time to reassert British values…That means disposing of the first taboo, and accepting that the problem is Islam. Islam is the problem. To any non-Muslim reader of the Koran, Islamophobia — fear of Islam — seems a natural reaction, and, indeed, exactly what that text is intended to provoke. Judged purely on its scripture — to say nothing of what is preached in the mosques — it is the most viciously sectarian of all religions. The trouble with this disgusting arrogance and condescension is that it is widely supported in Koranic texts, and we look in vain for the enlightened Islamic teachers and preachers who will begin the process of reform. What is going on in these mosques and madrasas? "When is someone going to get 18th century on Islam’s mediaeval ass?"
        "the tribal warriors will all break out in watermelon smiles to see the big white chief"
        "it is said the Queen has come to love the Commonwealth, partly because it supplies her with regular cheering crowds of flag-waving piccaninnies".
        -Boris Johnson
        • Psych77, on 05/07/2008, -0/+1Well done, you can post the same out of context quotes multiple times. You can stop now.
    • vibrate, on 05/03/2008, -3/+1well said
  • Beveridge89, on 05/03/2008, -30/+41He's a complete fool, but it's the first time i've supported a Tory in years. Red Ken has cosied up to a few too many Islamists in recent years, at least with Boris we don't have to worry about that.
    • kazamx, on 05/03/2008, -2/+22Don't think Boris has time, he is already planning the invasion of Liverpool
    • rpebble, on 05/03/2008, -6/+19Sometimes I wonder if there are any places where the people racially stereotype more than here in the US. Then I visit Britain.
      • Beveridge89, on 05/05/2008, -3/+1Racially stereotype? Why don't you try reading up on Livingstons habit of meeting with Islamists and those with less than liberal minded views before being a judgemental bastard.
    • niczar, on 05/03/2008, -8/+7So you voted for this dumbass because you're racist and bigotted, just like he is? At least you admit it.
      • ShadowMerchant, on 05/03/2008, -5/+2I'm not a racist, I'm a proud anti-Muslim religious bigot. I want them OUT of Christendom.
        • rpebble, on 05/04/2008, -0/+1Christendom? I thought the last time that word was used in seriousness was during the crusades.
      • NikoKun, on 05/03/2008, -3/+2It is not racist, to want equal treatment. In the recent years That guy had been making things more and more in their favor, granting them privileges far above anything non-islomists have.
        • rpebble, on 05/04/2008, -0/+3Step 1: Spell correctly.
          Step 2: Chill the hell out.
          Step 3: Intelligence?
      • Beveridge89, on 05/05/2008, -1/+1I didn't vote, I don't live in London. I supported him over Red Ken not because of anything hes actually done (the only tory i would support on their own merit is Michael Gove MP), personally I think hes an ass who isn't very fitting to be mayor.

        Where do you get racist and bigoted form me objecting to him listening to Islamists? I have no problems with Islam; I have a problem with people who pervert it into a philosophy designed to alienate Western Muslims and attack Western values. i don't think public officials should be giving them the time of day.
  • zombo, on 05/03/2008, -29/+8Boris will be the Churchill of 21stC.
    • dullnation, on 05/03/2008, -3/+13Except Churchill was a Prime minister and Boris is a Mayor... and we don't currently have a fully blown world war in going on...
      • TheDiceMan, on 05/03/2008, -1/+2but apart from that, he'll be the Churchill of the 21stC - buahaha
        • zombo, on 05/03/2008, -2/+3Churchill did not magically appear as PM at the start of the 2nd world war, you did know that didn't you?
    • Myonosken, on 05/03/2008, -6/+11Churchill was a ***** peace time leader.
      • Myonosken, on 05/03/2008, -3/+3Who the hell is burying me? He was an amazing war time leader, but open a textbook and its universally recognised he was a terrible peace time leader.
  • Catbus, on 05/03/2008, -36/+3Nobody cares.
    • scottishwhiskey, on 05/03/2008, -1/+107 million Londoner's do you ignorant *****!
      • simonn, on 05/03/2008, -1/+0Well actually "a record 45%" turned up to vote. So, your 7 million is more like 3 and a bit million.

        Under half of all Londoners care, enough anyway.
    • TheDiceMan, on 05/03/2008, -0/+4I bet you you're in the 80% (!) of yanks who don't have passport.
    • Catbus, on 05/03/2008, -7/+1Reply to scottishwhiskey: I'm American and I have better grammar than you.
      Reply to TheDiceMan: I have my passport. I don't know the relevance of you comment.
      • TheDiceMan, on 05/04/2008, -0/+1I'm sure if you engage your brain you'll be able to figure out the relevance of my comment.
    • FuckThaMeme, on 05/03/2008, -0/+3Judging by your profile pic. You look to be a ***** prick.
  • shyboy2008, on 05/03/2008, -53/+5When did Digg become the center hub for British politics..... the guy looks like an old Owen Wilson
    • Myonosken, on 05/03/2008, -3/+47The hub? *****, one topic about British politics when we've just had three weeks of some of the biggest political drama in years and 30+ topics daily over Obama v Hillary.
    • Klarth, on 05/03/2008, -5/+34What's wrong? Your pathetic overinflated ego can't handle the thought of other nations existing outside your own?

      Go perpetuate the 'insular American' stereotype somewhere else. You're a goddamned shambles.
      • scottishwhiskey, on 05/03/2008, -1/+10dam straight, i have no problem with he yanks really, but sometimes they can be so ignorant, and to think we're there allies.
        • MacEnvy, on 05/03/2008, -0/+11Please don't judge all Americans by shyboy2008's idiocy. We all hate him over here too.
    • TheDiceMan, on 05/03/2008, -0/+11*****. Ignorance really is a disease in you yanks :(

      Why to live up to your stereotype
  • Harrison88, on 05/03/2008, -4/+54His hair is legendary.
    • RubberChicken24, on 05/03/2008, -17/+6So's his incredible racism, but you're right - his hair is the most important thing
      • Harrison88, on 05/03/2008, -0/+10Wohoo. I finally got something right!
      • BlackAdderIII, on 05/03/2008, -2/+8"Incredible racism"

        Legendary would be the right word for it, since it doesn't exist.

        The upshot of your cheap accusation, is that the people of London have intentionally supported racism.

        If we're choosing whether the people of London have deliberately elected a racist, or you're wrong, I think I'll "vote" for the second option.
    • superkendall, on 05/03/2008, -3/+16It sure is racist not to want to support hate speech tied to people that come predominantly from a middle eastern background.

      I guess it's also racist to dislike the KKK.
    • bosssmiley, on 05/03/2008, -1/+3Yes, all must bow before the awesomeness of Tory Sheepdog Mayor.
  • mattyk123, on 05/03/2008, -10/+23Boris truly is awesome...
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWIUp19bBoA
    • GeorgeStone2, on 05/03/2008, -2/+4Bahahahahaahahahah
    • Spottswood, on 05/03/2008, -3/+7I remember watching that game live on the tele. He got my vote immediately after he did that.
      I love how headbutting a german in the nuts has in hindsight proved a shrewd political move.
      Boris Johnson is a legend
    • kazamx, on 05/03/2008, -2/+4Now if we had a leader like that before WW2 the Germans would never have got going. Boris the new Churchill
  • SRSco, on 05/03/2008, -7/+39Diggers are digging a pro-conservative story? What?
    • Ramble, on 05/03/2008, -7/+52Our conservatives are very liberal compared to America's conservatives.
      • mwrl, on 05/03/2008, -9/+1You have to start somewhere. Conservatives are coming, say goodbye to your social welfare and taxes!
      • rpebble, on 05/03/2008, -1/+3Except when it comes to race and privacy issues.
        • alexforcefive, on 05/03/2008, -1/+3And public spending. And sexuality
    • powatom, on 05/03/2008, -2/+23Meh, Boris isn't even a real conservative - he's more of an independent who's smart enough to realise that independents never get anywhere, so has aligned himself with the Conservatives to raise his own profile.

      Me? I personally don't really care - I don't live in London. It will be 'interesting' to see how Boris performs. I would never have voted for him, put it that way.
    • superkendall, on 05/03/2008, -6/+27It's probably mostly EU diggers, unlike American diggers who cannot stand to see an opinion they disagree with and thus attempt to silence it with buries.
      • Myonosken, on 05/03/2008, -2/+7Funny that American is supposed to be a land of free speech too...Hmmm
      • tidu, on 05/03/2008, -2/+4I'm more of a conservative person myself, but cannot align myself with Bush or McCain for various reasons. They just aren't conservative anymore, and I'm not willing to transform with them into this different conservatism that's all about military action and not giving a ***** about the condition of their country, while feigning concern for the condition of other countries only to gain power in those areas.
      • rpebble, on 05/03/2008, -1/+2Waah Waah if you want your conservative voice to be heard, go somewhere that doesn't have a popularity contest attached to every comment. Yes, most diggers (at least in the US) are liberal, but there are plenty of other forums you can go to where the exact opposite is true, and the liberal voices are drowned out just as effectively. Welcome to the internet.
        Stop whining.
      • Tyrghast, on 05/03/2008, -2/+3Wooooo go stereotypes! Lets stick to those american diggers by saying something that totally isn't true!
        • Myonosken, on 05/04/2008, -0/+3Uh, even very liberal diggers will agree any conservative views are swiftly buried.
          Over here we have a general tendency to disagree but respect the view. From what we see of the US, you call a black guy a muslim and a woman the devil.
          • Tyrghast, on 05/04/2008, -1/+1well... she is the devil... what do you expect us to say?
          • rpebble, on 05/04/2008, -1/+2People call her the devil because she is pretty much evil. She is incredibly two-faced, and there are many liberals, including myself, who can't stand her. As for calling him a muslim, thats a confusion perpetuated by fox news and the Clinton campaign, based around the fact that his name is "funny".
            I'm white, I have an islamic name, i'm not a muslim, and while I'm definitely not proud of the actions of our leaders or necessarily confident in our ability to elect a competent leader, i'm still definitely american, surprised?
          • Myonosken, on 05/04/2008, -0/+1@Tyrghast: Read up on a guy called Nick Griffin. She's not even close to him.
    • ByteGuerilla, on 05/03/2008, -7/+11Consider that Red Ken is about as unpopular as politicians can get. He is a greedy, self-serving, State Capitalist demagogue. Boris the nutjob is at least grounded in something other than theft.
      • irgeorge, on 05/03/2008, -0/+8Interesting choice of avatar, considering your comment.
      • Angostura, on 05/03/2008, -1/+3That'll be why he lost by what? A few percent? In my opinion, the man has done a very decent job getting transport working in London, he's pioneer some nice initiatives such as the pedestrianization of Trafalgar Square. As someone who cycles into town each day to work the congestion charge has been a god-send. He worked his socks off to get the Olympics

        ... and he likes newts.

        What more do you want?
        • powatom, on 05/03/2008, -2/+3About a hundred thousand votes, if I'm not mistaken. Ignore percentages, real numbers are what matter. One hundred THOUSAND people prefer Boris Johnson.
          • Angostura, on 05/03/2008, -0/+1Ahem, my point was that saying that Ken was "about as unpopular as politicians can get" was daft hyperbole. The vote was 53% for Ken compared with 46%. for Boris - more than the 'few percent' I originally said, my hardly as if Pol Pot was running.

            And what's with the Ignore the percentages idiocy? Of course %s matter if you are looking at how unpopular someone is, otherwise I could be here saying "Ken only lost by 9 people!" conveniently ignoring that only 10 people voted. Twerp.
          • powatom, on 05/03/2008, -0/+1Yes, except we're NOT talking about 10 people, we're talking about hundreds of thousands of people, aren't we. Percentages do not matter in something like an election, where a win-margin of over a hundred thousand invidividual votes literally makes all the difference. Which is precisely why we don't count the votes by percentage - otherwise we'd have people making stupid like claims you just did, you soft tool.

            "And what's with the Ignore the percentages idiocy? Of course %s matter if you are looking at how unpopular someone is, otherwise I could be here saying "Ken only lost by 9 people!" conveniently ignoring that only 10 people voted. Twerp."

            That's exactly what I was saying, you soft tool.
    • andyroo316, on 05/03/2008, -7/+1What-what? In the butt.
    • Karna101, on 05/03/2008, -6/+2the thing is that livingstone was cosing up to the islamists which miffed a few people
    • atgmac, on 05/03/2008, -0/+6Ken is a scumbag and Boris isn't a real conservative. Out of the two I'd rather have Boris any day.
    • tk0680, on 05/04/2008, -0/+2The British "Conservatives" are roughly equivalent to the American Democrats. Our whole spectrum is shifted slightly to the left of yours.
  • Ramble, on 05/03/2008, -26/+28This is not good at all, bring back Red Ken or at least get someone competent.
    • Myonosken, on 05/03/2008, -5/+38Whilst he can be a buffoon, the guy is actually extremely intelligent and doesn't *****, like a lot of politicians. If he doesn't like it, he'll bloody well say so!
      • jkleinfeld, on 05/03/2008, -4/+3Of course he is 'actually extremely intelligent', it's what $50,000 a year at Eton can buy you!
        • Psych77, on 05/07/2008, -0/+1Intelligence =/= Education you moron.
    • ByteGuerilla, on 05/03/2008, -8/+18Red Ken was competent in one area: stealing people's money.
    • BlackAdderIII, on 05/03/2008, -2/+6Red Ken OR someone competent.

      Quite.
  • SillyDigger, on 05/03/2008, -17/+8and He's an American (Born in New York).
    • groovechamp30, on 05/03/2008, -2/+14Used to an American citizen, of Turkish descent, educated in Belgium at the European School as well as at Eton.
      • remlap, on 05/03/2008, -4/+3Why would anyone give up dual citizenship, I don't understand that.
        • cresswga, on 05/03/2008, -0/+6Because he would have to still pay taxes to the US government every year even though he didnt live there.
        • alexforcefive, on 05/03/2008, -3/+1You can't hate immigrants and still hold two passports, it's an irony too far
    • Myonosken, on 05/03/2008, -3/+19Wait, an English family who went over to America for like two months and had a child whilst there makes him American? When the guy is one of the quintessentially English eccentrics?
      Wtf are you smoking?
      • SillyDigger, on 05/03/2008, -9/+2"Wait, an English family who went over to America for like two months and had a child whilst there makes him American?"

        Did I say that? No.

        "Wtf are you smoking?"

        I don't smoke I was just going by this BBC article http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/737662 ...

        "Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (he is still known to family members as Al) was born in New York to English parents in 1964 and was, until recently, an American citizen" - BBC
        • Myonosken, on 05/03/2008, -1/+6It was a technicality that he had citizenship. He also had British citizenship so w/e.
        • eean, on 05/03/2008, -10/+2Yes, a technicality like the 14th amendment. It did silly little things like give ex-slaves their citizenship.
      • groovechamp30, on 05/03/2008, -6/+2Finest Jamaican reefa.

        He had American nationality until recently.
    • Nayson, on 05/03/2008, -1/+10Yet he is stereotypically upper class English.
      I dont know how many people who are posting in this thread are American and are pulling stats from places like Wiki, but if you have ever seen Boris in action then you will understand why he is so high profile. He seems to have made a career of making 'gaffes' and upsetting people. It wasnt all that long ago he had to publicly apologise to the entire city of Liverpool.
      He is however good copy. He is a journalists wet dream. Endlessly quotable. Great fun. But im glad i dont live in London. Ill leave you with two links of Boris in action on Youtube.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWIUp19bBoA < Nailing a German, Rugby style in a celebrity Football match during the build up to the last World Cup.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxYdUWHN844 < one of Boris' many appearances on the TV show, 'Have i got News for You'. You can find plenty more if you look at the related links.
    • groovechamp30, on 05/03/2008, -0/+5Well he was an American citizen until recently and he's of Turkish descent.

      "But he is no stereotypical aristocrat - he was born in New York and was a US citizen until recently, his early schooling was in Brussels, he is descended from a minister in the Ottoman Empire and his children are, as he put it, a quarter Indian."

      "His grandfather Osman Ali settled in the UK in the 1920s and changed his name to Wilfred Johnson."

      http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7376621.stm
    • bosssmiley, on 05/03/2008, -1/+7"Just because a man is born in a barn, it doesn't make him a horse." - Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington (born in Ireland)
  • mrhedges, on 05/03/2008, -9/+2I wonder if no more Linvingstone means no more congestion charge. Atleast that ridiculous £25 / day gas guzzler charge won't ever happen. Jezza should be pleased.
    • Myonosken, on 05/03/2008, -0/+8Unlikely, Boris is pro-cycling and public transport.
    • groovechamp30, on 05/03/2008, -1/+6I thought that was a rather brave policy to bring in at least Ken put his money where his mouth is on green issues, unlike the tories and David Cameron's eco-friendly cycle to work (with his papers being chauffer driven in a Jag behind him).
    • error2k2, on 05/03/2008, -4/+9Ken actually took action to reduce carbon emissions, he was going to introduce more hybrid buses to London. Boris is not. I would have welcomed a policy that would make people consider what car they would buy next.

      Now the streets of London are going to be filled with moms in 4x4s to drop off their children, well done London!
      • Myonosken, on 05/03/2008, -2/+5Uh...Whut. Try reading his policies.
  • vexxefx, on 05/03/2008, -25/+24i can't wait to see the look on people's faces when they realise how seriously stupid this man and his policies are.
    • groovechamp30, on 05/03/2008, -7/+18He's not stupid...
    • BlackAdderIII, on 05/03/2008, -3/+8Or maybe, having each made an informed decision and cast their votes, those people are right, and you are wrong.

      An *UNTHINKABLE* idea, I know, since we're all clearly far less observant and intelligent than you.
    • vibrate, on 05/03/2008, -0/+2but his HAIR!

      LOL BORIS IS A LEGEND!!!!!

    • Franswahili, on 05/05/2008, -1/+1This man is about as dumb as George Bush.

      PS: George Bush isn't dumb, trust me.
  • TwiztMcTiger, on 05/03/2008, -12/+10I've got a dinner down at Parliament Street next month, I hope I get the chance to chat to him there, he'd hopefully bring some comedy to the proceedings, well done Boris!
    • Psych77, on 05/07/2008, -0/+1No-one cares about your social diary.
  • colthered, on 05/03/2008, -7/+9Yeah he's good for a laugh and everything but he hasn't any experience running anything let alone a major city. I suppose we should give him the benefit of the doubt for the time being but thank fook i don't live in London!
  • jellygraph, on 05/03/2008, -9/+17Yeah, Ken left, but instead we got another buffoon to replace him. Great job.
  • error2k2, on 05/03/2008, -25/+16FFS, Boris is not a better alternative to Ken. These protests votes are the most retarded things I've seen in my life, Brian Paddick by any means would have been better. But nooooo, "lets go for the similar face we see in the papers all the time!".
    ***** clown is going to ruin London.
    • ByteGuerilla, on 05/03/2008, -7/+7London is ruined by the copious amounts of southerners.

      *****.
      • textrant, on 05/03/2008, -1/+0ROFL. Just like France is ruined by the French living there.
    • PaulMassive, on 05/03/2008, -3/+4I would rather be a southerner then a northerner....
  • ShootTheCore, on 05/03/2008, -10/+4Well done London (!)
  • Browntowne, on 05/03/2008, -13/+4Nice, Porky Pig is now mayor
  • groovechamp30, on 05/03/2008, -1/+28"With 5.5 million Londoners eligible to vote in the elections, only the presidents of France and Portugal have been directly elected in Europe by a bigger electorate."
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/may/02/bor ...

    Quite a step up from presenting Have I Got News For You...
  • jeffthejiff, on 05/03/2008, -17/+22This is bad. Ken was actually a good politician, whereas Boris is pretty backwards. He might be an entertaining bumbling personality, but leader? Hmm. Oh well, I'm not a Londoner!
  • Puisapres, on 05/03/2008, -8/+3He looks like Darrell Hammond with blond hair

    Anyway, congrats to him and to the city of London
  • cjvos1, on 05/03/2008, -11/+25I think people are misjudging him. Beneath all that hair and bumbling buffoonery, there is a very intelligent individual and he is very aware of how popular that 'image' he projects is. You can also guarantee that he will have a strong group of individuals surrounding him. Either way, I'm just happy to get rid of Ken.
    • rpebble, on 05/03/2008, -4/+5See, that's what a lot of people said about Bush...and everyone knows now that he is actually that stupid. You've gotta be careful saying that kind of stuff.
    • HenvY, on 05/03/2008, -7/+2"if gay marriage was OK - and I was uncertain on the issue - then I saw no reason in principle why a union should not be consecrated between three men, as well as two men, or indeed three men and a dog."
      "It is time to reassert British values…That means disposing of the first taboo, and accepting that the problem is Islam. Islam is the problem. To any non-Muslim reader of the Koran, Islamophobia — fear of Islam — seems a natural reaction, and, indeed, exactly what that text is intended to provoke. Judged purely on its scripture — to say nothing of what is preached in the mosques — it is the most viciously sectarian of all religions. The trouble with this disgusting arrogance and condescension is that it is widely supported in Koranic texts, and we look in vain for the enlightened Islamic teachers and preachers who will begin the process of reform. What is going on in these mosques and madrasas? "When is someone going to get 18th century on Islam’s mediaeval ass?"
      "the tribal warriors will all break out in watermelon smiles to see the big white chief"
      "it is said the Queen has come to love the Commonwealth, partly because it supplies her with regular cheering crowds of flag-waving piccaninnies".
      -Boris Johnson

      Yeah, sounds like he was going for the populist angle.
      • Seemefearme, on 05/03/2008, -1/+7At least he is honest and says what some people are thinking. A plain faced politician is better than one who hides his thoughts.
        • HenvY, on 05/04/2008, -1/+1Yeah, nazi parties say what some people are thinking too. And based on those comments those are probably the 'some people' he's speaking for anyway.
  • chas46, on 05/03/2008, -9/+15 Go Boris!
  • Harbinger67, on 05/03/2008, -21/+13What state is London in again?
  • stikkitjim, on 05/03/2008, -6/+16No more bendy busses!! Whooo!!
    • bosssmiley, on 05/03/2008, -1/+9Boris driving a Routemaster? *Torygasm*
      • ozkills, on 05/03/2008, -0/+4Torygasm! Classic
      • stikkitjim, on 05/03/2008, -0/+3Boris Johnson... driving a routemaster... through Knightsbridge... eating British Beef.... reading The Telegraph....with an iPod loaded full of Breakfast with Frost...
    • error2k2, on 05/03/2008, -4/+3Yeah! Screw mothers who drag around prams and those in wheelchairs!
      /s
      • gothicform, on 05/03/2008, -3/+2They should all be rich enough to use 4x4s!
    • anj747, on 05/04/2008, -0/+1Instead he'll bring back routemasters at a cost of "£100 million" (his words)
  • wiretapped, on 05/03/2008, -15/+21Scrap the congestion charge and take down the CCTV.
    • Karna101, on 05/03/2008, -9/+9lol why are you getting dugg down for being against CCTV. are people so totalitarian?
      • groovechamp30, on 05/03/2008, -2/+5Because it ain't going to happen, no matter who's mayor.
      • Timmmm, on 05/03/2008, -1/+4And the congestion zone has been a big success.
    • zazzalicious, on 05/03/2008, -1/+1Boris wants to put live CCTV on those disabled friendly two storey routemasters... way to go B!
  • OffPiste, on 05/03/2008, -20/+3Maybe he can mandate better oral hygiene for the limeys.
    • scottishwhiskey, on 05/03/2008, -1/+14mabe you yanks can get a president who can brush his own teeth
    • diggkris, on 05/04/2008, -1/+2Damn Straight.
  • chr0nic21, on 05/03/2008, -31/+1WHO THE ***** CARES!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • mickhead, on 05/03/2008, -2/+15PEOPLE THAT LIVE OR WORK IN LONDON!!!!!!!
    • rpebble, on 05/03/2008, -0/+9Yeah you're gonna get dugg down here, most of the people reading/commenting on this article are British.
    • chr0nic21, on 05/03/2008, -2/+0I'm debating if he looks like "the thiing" in fantastic four or the jolly old Hulk.....
    • FuckThaMeme, on 05/03/2008, -0/+3Troll has failed
  • Cayfox, on 05/03/2008, -8/+35Charlie Brooker said it best: I wouldn't trust Boris to operate a mop, let alone a £10 bn Crossrail project.
  • mwrl, on 05/03/2008, -21/+4As an American Conservitive moving to England soon I am happy to see the people of London leaning right for a change. Just remember that lefties will scream and shout about a lot of nonsense and make fun of anyone they see as a threat!
    • Cayfox, on 05/03/2008, -3/+10Here's an idea - why don't you stay in America? Or at the very least, have the taste and discretion to keep your mouth shut about political issues that don't concern you, and which you clearly don't understand.
    • powatom, on 05/03/2008, -0/+13You're in for a big surprise, matey boy. The conservatives we have in the UK are 'fluffy liberals' by American standards. There is no real discernible difference between Labour and Tory these days - people are voting primarily by tradition and on the popularity of the leader of the respective parties. Labours poor performance at these local elections is a reflection of Gordon Brown's growing unpopularity, and his stupid decision over the 10p tax creating massive amounts of protest votes.

      If Labour get rid of Brown and reverse some of the stupid decisions they've been making, I'm pretty confident we will have another Labour government in the next parliamentary elections. The problem is that 'New Labour' has degenerated into 'Old Labour'.
    • Ramble, on 05/03/2008, -0/+9Try that line over here why not? Conservatives are getting lefter everyday, your Democratic party is positively right wing compared to them.
  • johnnyfistfight, on 05/03/2008, -15/+2Conservatism once again beats the living ***** out of the left. It's becoming a world wide trend and will reach its apex when McCain does it in America.
    • Ramble, on 05/03/2008, -0/+7No, it's cyclical. Unless you figure the 1997 landslide election in the UK a good thing for conservatives.
    • waydee, on 05/03/2008, -1/+13The UK has actual conservatives, not those far right neo-cons you like to think are conservatives.
      • johnnyfistfight, on 05/03/2008, -7/+4As America has actual liberals, not those far left-wing socialist you think are liberal.
    • kurtwinter, on 05/03/2008, -0/+5Conservatism is dead. If you think McCain is a conservative, you have to be fricking retarded. He's a pro-corporate fascist lapdog, him and Hillary. Long live conservatism, Ron Paul FTW.
  • tantive5, on 05/03/2008, -19/+11What a plonker. Hard to believe a buffon like Boris could be elected as Mayor of London. Bit like Dubya being Prez. Another sign of the impending apocalypse
    • vibrate, on 05/03/2008, -3/+4Agreed
      Boris is a bumbling clot. I blame shows like Big Brother for encouraging the masses to vote based on who's 'funniest' rather than who's best equipped to do the job. Idiots.
    • Steeple, on 05/04/2008, -0/+4he's a pretty good politician actually, he turned the buffoonery off for the entire campaign, love him or hate him but don't underestimate his ambition and focus
  • cubby225, on 05/03/2008, -47/+2buried, because no one gives a ***** about london or the uk
    • MrLlama, on 05/03/2008, -0/+25Buried your comment since no one gives a ***** about your ignorant views
    • sputnike, on 05/03/2008, -2/+15Burried because there's a crap load of Digg users from the UK?
    • Ramble, on 05/03/2008, -1/+12A bigger city than New York and no-one cares about it?
      • tehbored, on 05/03/2008, -0/+3Actually it's smaller by about a million people. Still pretty damn big though.
    • mentallyimprd, on 05/05/2008, -0/+1you're a piece of ***** for saying that, if I must say so myself
  • raid517, on 05/03/2008, -6/+14Correction: No one gives a ***** about you.
  • diggdallas, on 05/03/2008, -6/+23I, for one, welcome our new Johnson overlord.
  • sputnike, on 05/03/2008, -1/+1Boris Johnson is great... I remember watching a press conference once and someone said "Boris, what are your main policies?" and he said "That's an excellent question!" then turned to his advisor "ermm What Are our main policies?!" and then laughed, and went "seriously though...etc"
    • Franswahili, on 05/05/2008, -1/+1I'm sorry, how irresponsible of you. This is the exact problem we have in America with George Bush. The world needs less ignorant and pompous leaders or we are all doomed.
  • DailyWail, on 05/03/2008, -1/+4Frying pan into fire
  • pigfister, on 05/03/2008, -1/+6what a slap in the face to labour, the ppl would rather a conservative buffoon than one of them.

    I wonder WHY?

    http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-3351275 ...

    FTA: TAKING LIBERTIES is a shocking but hilarious polemic documentary that charts the destruction of all your Basic Liberties under 10 Years of New Labour. Released to coincide with Tony Blair's departure, the film and the book follow the stories of normal people who's lives have been turned upside down by injustice - from being arrested for holding a placard outside parliament to being tortured in Guantanamo Bay. THIS IS WHAT YOU DON'T READ IN THE PAPERS! THIS IS WHAT YOU DON'T SEE ON TV! AND IT'S HAPPENING TO YOU!
    • makeinstall, on 05/03/2008, -0/+2Watching this and what Boris has to say in it, Ive got a bit more respect for him - now he has to back his words with action.
  • Hillsbottom, on 05/03/2008, -3/+2I fear he was only elected because he was on Have I got News For You....but hopefully this does mean Brain Blessard will be mayor one day
    • ldma, on 05/03/2008, -0/+1We can but dream....Blessed was awesome on HIGNFY though eh?
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