How they voted - leading Londoners reveal their political leanings

Katharine Barney found out who backed whom - and why - in the mayoral election.

Emma Thompson, actress

Ken

"One issue close to my heart is that of the illegal trafficking of young women and girls and I am glad to see this addressed in Ken Livingstone's manifesto. I was shocked to discover that 30,000 women were trafficked during the Athens Olympic Games and give my absolute backing to Ken, who is determined that this will not happen in London. We must prosecute the traffickers while supporting those who have been trafficked."

Tom Conti, actor

Boris/Second preference Brian

"Boris is definitely getting my vote. He's not a class warrior like Ken. There's no room for that in society any more. London needs hope and Boris offers hope.

"Ken bought more buses but the wrong sort. Boris's promises on new Routemasters are a tall order but I think he knows that. This nannying is ridiculous. If you run after a bus, leap on and land flat on your face, that's your fault."

Daisy Goodwin, television presenter

Boris/Second preference Sian

"This issue has caused more angst in our household than anything else. My daughter, now eligible to vote, says she won't speak to me if I don't vote for Ken, and my husband is voting for Brian.

"I'm not so much voting for Boris as against Ken. The thing that really did it was arriving home to find 200 Vote Ken' leaflets dumped on my doorstep. I don't know if Boris can actually do it but I do think he's a very clever man."

Tariq Ali, author

Ken

"The country seems to have forgotten that a million Iraqis have died since the occupation of their country, three million have become refugees and millions there face horrendous conditions.

"It would be bizarre if a city in which 70 per cent of the citizens opposed the war ended up being represented by a pro-war Mayor. Vote for Livingstone."

Lucy Cope, founder of Mothers Against Guns whose son, Damian, was shot dead

Brian

"Ken has had enough time to turn things around and instead he's more bothered about the Olympics.
"It doesn't seem he cares about the stabbings and gun crimes. Brian Paddick will be more effective because of his experience in the police. He knows what's wrong and right about it and what can be done."

Birgit Cunningham, eco-warrior

Ken/Second preference Sian

"I worked with Ken when I was senior press officer for the Greens at City Hall and admired the way he operated in a hostile environment. He's experienced, which is vital, and realistic about what needs to be done. He's not afraid to do things which may be unpopular.

"I think Boris would try to turn London into something that people think they would want but in practice would just be going backwards."

Will Self, novelist

Brian and Siân (order undecided)

"Paddick isn't Mr Charisma, but frankly the mayoralty is the job of a bigged-up transport commissioner with some say on urban development. Paddick proved he was fearlessly straight when, as a serving police officer, he said someone in the Met should take the fall for the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes. He has genuine experience of running a large public service department.

"I'm likely to vote Green although a last-second bout of keep that Tory buffoon out' may see me, quarter-heartedly, ticking the Ken box."

Ray Lewis, founder of the Eastside Young Leaders Academy

Boris

"London needs a leader, not a manager, which is how Ken operates. With Ken you get sectarianism, with Boris there's a sense of hope. He listens and is fresh and innovative.

"We want someone who believes at the heart of London there are values that help make the city a wonderful place, not someone who will sell the city down the river."

Terence Conran, designer and retailer

Ken/Second preference Siân

"Ken stands head and shoulders above the others and is by far the safest candidate. Boris is too nice and too funny to be Mayor.

"Ken has done a lot for London but he can be his own worst enemy. Perhaps a bloody nose at the polls would make him listen more carefully to the average Londoner.

"Siân has a wise head on young shoulders, backed up by some good policies. I don't agree it is a protest vote. I hope Siân and the Greens have a big say in debate in the future."

Duwayne Brooks, best friend of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence

Brian

"We need somebody who can make a difference. Brian would be able to tackle the gun and knife crime on our streets."

Joss Garman, environmentalist

Ken/Second preference Siân

"Ken is just about the greenest politician in Britain. He's experienced, which is what we need because the next few years will be crucial in reducing carbon emissions. Also he opposes the third runway but, unlike Boris, doesn't claim to advocate another airport elsewhere."

Gerry Doherty, leader of the TSSA, the rail industry's second largest union

Ken

"Ken has delivered on the investment so desperately needed for the Tube. He has brought back maintenance in-house, following the collapse of Metronet, and has been a good Mayor for the travelling public. I believe he will deliver a world-class Tube in time for the Olympics."

Fiona Fox, director of the Science Media Centre

Spoilt vote

"I would have voted for Ken especially as he has championed Crossrail and the Olympics. However, I would have a hard time voting for him after what he's said about the MMR vaccine and autism — when he spoke out against MMR, vaccinations fell to a dangerous level in London. If he withdraws those remarks in a hurry, he can have my vote."

Brian Cooke, chairman of London TravelWatch

Boris

"Sometimes one wonders whether the truth and Mr Livingstone sit together at all. I don't believe Boris will have the arrogance of the Ken knows best' policy. There is strong evidence that the current Mayor has played with both Tube and bus fares for his own political aims. He often blames the train operators but I believe much of the blame actually lies at the Mayor's door."

AC Grayling, Professor of Philosophy at Birkbeck College, University of London

Brian and Boris (order undecided)

"I do know I will not be voting for Ken and I think both Boris and Brian are credible candidates. I just need to decide which way round to vote to give Ken least chance of winning. Despite being a traditional Labour voter, I have become disaffected. Anyhow I don't think the Mayoral elections are about party politics. I also believe Boris is less of a fool than he is made out to be."

Ian Levy, father of murdered 16-year-old Robert Levy, founder of the Robert Levy foundation and charity Through Unity

Brian/Second preference Boris

"For me crime is top of the agenda and Brian Paddick has the best background. Ken has had eight years to solve crime. All he says is there should be more police on the streets."

David Campbell, CEO of AEG Europe, owner of the O2 Arena

Ken

"Ken has helped government recognise London's vital role in the UK economy, for example with Crossrail, and secured its place as a leading world city. Decades of under-investment in transport and housing are being turned around."

Virginia Ironside, agony aunt

Boris

"I've had personal dealings with Ken and I don't trust him an inch. The phoniness and lack of proper consultation just took my breath away."

Sir Bernard Ingham

Boris

"Livingstone has to go. It's a corrupt regime and he is a disgrace to politics. The longer he stays, the nastier and stronger the stink."

Keith Norman, general secretary of the train drivers' union Aslef, the Tube's most powerful union

Ken

"Obviously, I am voting for Ken. I expect
anyone who catches a Tube will do the same. You actually see Ken on the Tube rather than in a limo."

Paul Johnson, historian, has supported both Thatcher and Blair

Boris

"Boris is a personal friend and will make an extremely good mayor — one of the great mayors of all time.

"I heard it said by the master at Balliol College that he was the cleverest undergraduate he's come across. He has a great sense of adventure and fun and I think after all the suffering Londoners have endured they will have a nice time under Boris."

Hannana Siddiqui, campaigner against domestic violence

Ken

"He has been a supporter for all the work that groups I am involved in have done on combating domestic violence. I am not that confident Boris would be able to take forward that work. Ealing council — which is Tory — has tried to cut funding of groups who help black and ethnic-minority women."

Molly Parkin, painter

Boris

"I am horrified with myself but I am going to be voting for Boris despite having been Left-wing all my life.

"I think he would inject some fun and sophistication into London. I rather like his baby-blond hair and he's much more my sort of chap."

Sir Clive Sinclair

Boris

"I'm not going to run Ken down because I think he's been a good Mayor, good at promoting London and a great ambassador. However, we need a fresh approach, so I'll vote for Boris."

Ajmal Masroor, Imam at Turnpike Lane mosque

Brian

"Time for a change. Paddick seems the most trustworthy. I don't see Boris as fit to be mayor of a multicultural city like London."

Richard George, campaigns co-ordinator, CTC, the national cyclists' organisation

Siân/Second preference Ken

"I like Ken's Paris-style cycle scheme but I don't like his support for the Thames Gateway Crossing, which will lock people into their cars. This supports Siân's policies as well as helping Ken."

Damian Hopley, London Wasps, England and ceo Professional Rugby Players' Association

Boris

"We need a change. You have to take Boris warts and all' — however, he will put smiles on faces again in London."

Brian Moore, Lions, England and Harlequins hooker and TV commentator

Spoilt vote

"It is vital that everyone uses their right to vote. Having said that, none of the candidates deserves my support and I say that as a proud member of the Labour Party. I won't vote for Ken because it was despicable to react to allegations about his financial management by making a charge of racism against his accusers. Boris is a joke, Brian a wasted vote."

Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, columnist

Brian/Second preference Ken

"I will do whatever it takes to stop Boris getting in. That would be just terrible for London. I've got to think tactically."

Angus Fraser, ex-England bowler

Boris

"I think I'll probably vote for Boris ... Someone who has a bit of fun along the way might reawaken our interest in politics."

Nick Ferrari, LBC radio presenter

Boris/Second preference undecided

"Boris has not so much won my vote as Ken has lost it. The prospect of another term of Ken is as welcome as a dose of herpes. I think Boris has been too closely managed by the Tories but he still gets my vote."

Nigel Kennedy, violinist

Ken

"I'm for Ken but he needs to make London better for cyclists. I also agree with restricting 4x4s. It's impossible for drivers to see children crossing the road."

Neil Warnock, Crystal Palace manager

Boris

"We've not received any voting forms at our house so sort it quick, Boris. I have to vote for someone who looks like my chairman [Simon Jordan]."

Andrew Roberts, Historian

Boris

"I am voting for Boris because it is his chance to show he is a figure of substance and because of the Standard's many revelations about Ken."

Gerry Gable, Searchlight editor

Anybody but the BNP

"People should make their own minds up but a victory for the BNP is a victory for hatred, violence and stupidity."

Mike Gatting, former England cricket captain

Boris

"I think it's time for a change. I do worry a little about Boris at times but after a long spell with Ken we need new ideas."

Sir Alistair Graham, former chairman of the committee on standards in public life

Ken

"I'm not a Ken supporter but he has genuinely shown courage, as on the C-charge, and I admire that."

Tony Robinson, actor

Ken

"Ken may be no saint but he is a visionary. He wants us to be the number one city in the world, with transport to match, and knows how to deliver it."

Tim Etchells, organiser, British International Motor Show

Boris

"I shall vote for Boris, Boris, Boris. He will give London the fresh air it needs. I live in Kensington and there has been far too much gloom about Ken."

Barrie Segal, parking campaigner, founder Appealnow.com

Boris

"Bendy buses have been a disaster and so has manipulating the traffic lights."

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