Tories 'have taken a risk on Boris'

Ken Livingstone remains a "formidable politician" and the Tories have taken a risk choosing Boris Johnson to run against him for Mayor, The Economist says.

It warned that a heavy defeat for Mr Johnson on 1 May would reflect badly on Conservative Party leader David Cameron. However, a "shambolic performance as Mayor" could be even worse.

The magazine revealed that polling by the Johnson camp shows people are less willing to distinguish Mr Livingstone from the Government, leaving him unable to trade on "Brand Ken".

A spokeswoman for Mr Johnson said Mr Livingstone's reputation as a "maverick" had been replaced by the belief that he had become "part of the establishment".

The Economist praised the Mayor for introducing the congestion charge and Oyster cards, expanding the bus network and helping to win the Olympic bid. But it noted that fares and council tax bills have risen and Mr Livingstone has been involved in controversies with former Standard journalist Oliver Finegold, US Ambassador Robert Tuttle and cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi.