Should Ken Livingstone rejoin the Labour Party?

London Mayor Ken Livingstone has been told he can rejoin the Labour party.

Mr Livingstone was kicked out of Labour in 2000 for standing as an independent when Frank Dobson became the party's official candidate.

The decision came after Mr Livingstone was interviewed by a five member panel of senior Labour figures, including Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

Do you think Ken Livingstone was right to rejoin the Labour Party? Send us your thoughts

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This debate is now closed. Read your comments below.

Your reaction:

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

He is welcome, as is anyone, to join a political party, but he should resign immediately from office as he was elected as mayor while standing as an independent, not as a Labour candidate.
Don, London, U.K.

If Ken wins, it's a victory for Tony Blair. If Ken loses, his political career is seriously damaged, if not over and Tony Blair still wins. Clare Short fell for this one, and Ken seems to have too.
HS, Birmingham, UK

The party needs to listen to its membership which is more in line with Ken Keith Miles, Bristol

I think the party had no choice but to expel Ken for running against the official Labour candidate. It was right to readmit him - he has done a good job and the Labour party should be big enough to cope with some differing views. The party needs to listen to its membership which is more in line with Ken than many at the top.
Keith Miles, Bristol

After some of the outburst from him recently, as Mayor of London. I think that New Labour has left themselves open to further embarrassment, if he rejoins the party. I would have thought he would welcome another term as Mayor, but perhaps he sees his present life coming to an end, and wishes to perhaps stand for Parliament again.
Ian, England

No Ken Livingstone should not beg and rejoin the labour party. If he was smart, he should stay an independent - Londoners will respect and honour him better.
Mohinder L. Jerath, USA

So what was all this stuff about having no reverse gear? Has Blair had a new gearbox installed?
Paul B, Oxfordshire, UK

What a 'U' turn - sorry, I mean re-evaluation of party assets. More political humbug anybody? Could Ken be a future Labour Leader? Blair has had his fingers burnt in trying to write him off, as did the beloved Margaret!
Colin Sisk, Gosport, England

Membership of the Labour party has always been a means to an end for Ken, as he just is not a team player. He will only need the Labour party when he ceases to be Mayor, and I am at a loss to understand why the Labour party wants him and his self-serving machinations. Ken used to be a very clever politician but he has failed to achieve his potential. He could have been a champion of the disadvantaged people of this country, as part of the Labour party, but his great ego got in the way.
Sheila, UK

Livingstone's contribution to the people of London, is the imposition of taxation on motorists. The truth is that the Public services most notably the tube is in fact in a worse state than when he was first elected. Which party he belongs to is irrelevant. What is relevant is his tenure in office, which I believe is an utter disgrace.
AJ McMenemy, London

Blair was right the first time, Ken was and is a disaster for London. I would love to hear what benefit he has brought to London. He is more intent on destroying our heritage than improving it.
Carol, UK

I hope that this does not mean that Livingstone will now be less outspoken John Wallace, London

It seems that the Labour Party needs Ken Livingstone more than he needs it. I hope that this does not mean that Livingstone will now be less outspoken. He was correct in his criticism of the war with Iraq and about the state visit of George Bush. We need people like Ken Livingstone to speak out when the Government is in error.
John Wallace, London, UK

It does make you smile. This reverse move of Blair's has probably done more for the Tory party's credibility than it has for Labour's. It may allow them the claim that they won London if Ken is re-elected but they will never, ever be able to claim they won the moral ground for they do not know how to find it.
Mike Hall, Chipping Norton, UK

I find it a bit of a joke that Ken Livingstone appears to have waltzed back into the Labour Party, and that Tony Blair actually admitted being wrong. It seems to me to be rather farcical, and a somewhat feeble attempt at trying to rescue Labour's image. I can't see how Ken Livingstone will help Tony Blair, except by causing trouble.
Katie, Leeds, UK

Voters just might react against this marriage of convenience. What a choice of candidates for our capital! There could not be a better time for a truly independent, apolitical, dynamic, go-getting, red-tape busting candidate to sweep the board and pick up votes from disillusioned Londoners of all political persuasions. Any suggestions for who would make a better Mayor?
Al, SE London

Can someone please tell me what Red Ken has done for London? James, London, UK

Can someone please tell me what Red Ken has done for London? The tube is terrible, crime is soaring, there are not enough policemen, and he had launched an all out offensive on cars! And what the hell does he think he is doing with the 4th plinth in Trafalgar Square. All in all I think that the PM has over estimated Ken - I still think he is a disaster!
James, London, UK

James, London, Ken has introduced the congestion charge, meaning that it's now possibly to cross the road without being run over, and... the buses are marvellous (try using them, tube snobs).
Virus, UK

Virus, UK: I tried using the buses over Christmas. The messageboards bear no relation to the bus arriving, so I was left standing for over half an hour each time in the freezing cold. Ken now insists you pay for your ticket before you board the bus. Four machines on Regents Street were all out of order, and the bus drivers refused to let me on without a ticket, which was impossible to buy. I just got fined for not paying the congestion charge because when I tried to pay the phone handling system failed three times and cut the phone dead (and their system failure is not grounds for not paying - can you believe it!). Now then, what has Ken done for us Londoners again? He's done nothing but make trying to survive and live in the Capital a nightmare.
DL, Notting Hill, UK

Why not, he probably has some more great taxing and charging schemes for every man, woman and child in the UK because there isn't enough already.
Jason, Bristol, UK

Who outside London cares?! However it's worth noting you get the politicians you deserve! So you Londoners - it's down to lucky you.
peter, Birmingham

Surely it cannot have escaped anyone's attention that this entire affair is a complete farce designed by Tony Blair as he couldn't take the embarrassment of having his candidate coming 4th. Joke.
Hugo, Chesterfield

It's up to Ken. Personally (speaking as an ex-Labour member) if I were him I wouldn't, but given the lies that Blair told against him and the blatant stitch up last time I bet he's really enjoying seeing Blair eat humble pie. As are we all!
Mark Edwards, Taunton, United Kingdom

No. He is no politician - he is a trouble maker who lacks clout. Since Ken has been Mayor London has become an expensive nightmare! Thanks for nothing Ken!
Debra Burton, London

This is going to strengthen the same Labour Left which Blair sought to destroy in his quest for power Anish, Cambridge

A marriage of convenience. Blair thinks if you can't beat them then join them - it's the only way they're going to get a Labour Mayor of London. However this is going to strengthen the same Labour Left which Blair sought to destroy in his quest for power. Undoubtedly a great boost for the Tories.
Anish, Cambridge

I don't think Ken Livingstone should rejoin the party. Not because it would be bad for the party, but because I think it would be bad for him! He has done very, very well for himself as the independent Mayor so why should he go back to them now that they see they were wrong! Don't do it Ken.
James, Leeds (UK)

No, this will undermine the Labour Parties ability to run this country, if they make a decision they should stick to it.
Dave, UK Portsmouth

How many u-turns can Labour do? They have spent the last few years slagging off Livingstone and now when votes are required they do 180 turn. How sickening.
Pete, Havant

No no no absolutely not! They should have extended the ban to lifetime; he is a dinosaur of politics and should have remained in the passed. Has New Labour not learned anything? Give the Tories a helping hand back to power why don't you!
Mitch, Darwen, UK

Does this issue really affect the rest of the UK? Donna, Nottingham

The point is that Ken Livingstone is Mayor for London, does this issue really affect the rest of the UK? No! It doesn't and it's about time the media stopped reporting things with London bias. If Newcastle had a mayor like London, would this even be news? I think not.
Donna, Nottingham

Good for London, good for Ken, good for the Labour Party. Great for the Conservatives.
Steve Wakefield, UK

He is condemning the key worker in London to death. Or he will push us all out to the rural areas. I cannot afford to pay all these charges he wants, just to go to work.
Luke, London

Wouldn't it be more accurate to say that New Labour has joined Ken? Once again, Labour demonstrates that its policies are based on re-election. Principles - none!
John Howe, Mirfield, England

This is between Ken Livingstone and the Labour party. I can't believe that anyone else would have the slightest interest.
Barry, Peterborough, UK

Let's move on and see where this leads London in the future Lesley Kettle, London

It is politically expedient for both parties in this issue to put past differences behind them. Forget analysis of the past, let's move on and see where this leads London in the future.
Lesley Kettle, London

I think it just shows how low the Labour Party has sunk and how weak they are that they have to ask him back. It's easy to see what the Labour Party wants - i.e. not to lose (again) in London I'm not sure what's in it for Ken though.
GA, Bristol, England

I don't care. I want Ken out of London and Labour out of government. Since neither of them appear to have a clue how to run anything they seem well suited.
John B, UK

Their views can now co-exist Eric Seddon, Essex

Both the PM and the London Mayor have carried out excellent work. Their views can now co-exist, so why not come back together? It can only serve to increase the strength of 'New Labour'.
Eric Seddon, Essex

In or out, who cares? He is better off out though. In, he'd be asked to toe the party line. Out, he can do pretty much what he wants, like now.
Jack Manson, London, England

As usual, the most cynical and manipulative Prime Minister in 100 years, manages to avoid any show of principle yet again. Admit into his party, a man who only 4 years ago, was 'unacceptable', 'destructive' and 'a disaster' for the party. Hmmmmm.
Stephen, Nottingham

The phrase "turn again" seems synonymous with London mayors. After all, it's in a pantomime, so it's traditional at this time of year.
David Hazel, Fareham, UK

For someone who betrayed the Labour Party four years ago just because he could not get his own way, it just goes to show that where there is a sign that Labour will lose again, they welcome him back with open arms.
C Beaven, Stevenage, UK

Three years is a very long time in politics! It's up to him what he wants to do. E Morgan, Manchester, England

Three years is a very long time in politics! It's up to him what he wants to do. It's whether people will be stupid enough to vote for him is the issue.
E Morgan, Manchester, England

Ken has done a brilliant job as mayor and he is principled unlike most of the brainwashed Blairites at the top of New Labour. It's a shame if he goes back, but a good career move for him and a coup for.
Jamie, London

The Labour party have only re-instated him so they may have a better chance of winning the next election
Lili, London

What people forget is that Ken is a Labour member through and through. Whereas Blair is a Conservative who happens to run Labour. Hopefully the Labour government will stop putting roadblocks in front of Ken when he tries to get things done.
Rahul, UK

Good for London, Good for Ken, Good for the Labour Party. Norman, Borehamwood, UK

Good for London, Good for Ken, Good for the Labour Party. Not so good for the Conservatives.
Norman, Borehamwood, UK

So he has sold himself and everyone who voted for him down the river...thank heaven I was not one of them.
Brian, Sudbury, UK

Surely Should the Labour Party rejoin Ken Livingstone?
David Jones, Llangain Carmarthenshire

I'm at a loss to understand why he would want to rejoin. Anna, Cambridge, UK

Ken's done a good job in London mostly in opposition to the bigwigs in the Labour party. I'm at a loss to understand why he would want to rejoin, or why the party would want him back (except to keep him under the thumb).
Anna, Cambridge, UK

I think this may come back to haunt both Ken and Tony. As they say, the wages of spin ...
Andy Bannister, London, UK

Did Ken demand an apology from Tony Blair I wonder?
Alan Preddy, Epsom England

Ken your too good for them leave it!! Tom, Scotland

Ken your too good for them leave it!!!
Tom, Scotland

Of course Ken wants to re-join Labour. Where else will he a find a well paid job after he stands down Mayor? The man is a career politician with no experience of life in the real world.
Malcolm Tremain, London

Snap out of it Ken! It's so obvious why Tony wants you back it's laughable.
Gerry Noble, Salisbury, UK

He'll probably give Blair as hard a time as Howard over the coming months though so for the first time in my life I'm supporting him ... go on Ken! Yey!
Phillip Holley, UK, London

Ken should definitely be re-admitted. Philip, London

Ken should definitely be re-admitted. He was forced to leave Labour and run as an independent last time round by a concerted "Stop Ken" campaign, which loaded the Electoral College for the labour mayoral nomination in favour of Frank Dobson. Ken was the overwhelming favourite of labour party members in London. Letting him back early is Tony Blair's way of saying sorry for that mistake. In addition it's a win-win for the Labour party and Ken.
Philip, London

Ironically enough if he rejoins this year, I may not vote for him as Mayor given his total inability to get extra buses out on Tube strike days.
Ken (not that one), London, England

I think it would be more amusing for Labour to say "OK, Ken, you can come back into the fold", only for him to turn around and say "No thanks, I've quite enjoyed my independence". It would serve the Labour government right and be better for London.
Nick, Surrey, England

If the Labour Party allows Livingstone back in today, it will be New Labour 1, London 0. London deserves better than Livingstone and Labour. I'm backing Steve Norris!
Justin Hinchcliffe, Haringey, London

It's rather up to him, really. Guy Chapman, Reading, UK

It's rather up to him, really. If he feels inclined to forgive the whole stupid row which saw him kicked out in the first place, fair enough.
Guy Chapman, Reading, UK

Given his history, Ken could not refuse a genuine invitation to rejoin Labour, but as the invitation came from Blair I think he should have said no.
Martin Juckes, Oxford, UK

Not only should Ken Livingstone not be allowed to re join Labour, the whole of the London assembly should be scrapped its a white elephant and has been a total waste of money.
David Evans, London, England.

Ken, NO! Remember how they treated you?
Hasan Abdullah, Nottingham, UK

I really hope he doesn't. Ken has been a fantastic mayor, and a great advert for the whole concept of directly-elected mayors. But after the Labour party's shameful conduct on Iraq, my conscience would not let me vote Labour ever again.
Adam, London, UK

Ken, please don't! Not being a member had brought you immeasurable respect. Nick, Slough

Ken, please don't!!! Do not listen that spin doctoring facade of a political party. Not being a member had brought you immeasurable respect from Labour, Tory and Lib Dem voters. Jumping back into bed with the party that took the government to new depths of misrepresentation of the truth would lose you this respect.
Nick, Slough

Yes, the sooner he rejoins the Labour Party the sooner Simon Hughes will become London Mayor and the capital can move on rather than harping back to a stagnated past under Red Ken.
David Howe, Chelmsford, Essex UK

Ken will not be pushed around by Tony Blair Pete, UK

This is great fun. Ken will not be pushed around by Tony Blair, and anyone who thinks he will become a Government puppet must be living in cloud cuckoo land. If he misbehaves what are they going to threaten him with? Take away his candidateship?-it sure didn't work last time. I say let him join, it should provide us with a big enough firework display to keep us all entertained until the next General Election.
Pete, UK

The Labour party and Ken Livingstone deserve each other. Hopefully both of them will be out of power soon!
J Talwar, Gravesend, Kent

The only thing Ken should do is join the Natural History Museum - as a dinosaur.
Andy H, Gloucester UK

If he does, he loses my vote instantly. I am a Lib Dem supporter, but was seriously considering voting for Ken as an independent because I think he has done a good job and I don't want a Labour mayor in the pocket of the government. I understand his desire to go back to his political 'family', but I hope he will realise that I'm not the only one who will not vote for him if he does.
Katherine, London, UK

Let him join, Ken and Tony can squabble and damage the Labour party as much as they want. Duncan, Salisbury, UK

Let him join, Ken and Tony can squabble and damage the Labour party as much as they want, perhaps then we can get rid of this tax and spend government. If Ken does find himself out of a job, he could always do voice overs for 'Henry's Cat'.
Duncan, Salisbury, UK

Quite frankly, who cares?
MB, UK

I don't think Ken should rejoin the Labour Party. I used to vote Labour but after Iraq I will never vote for them again, except perhaps when the current leadership goes, which means that Ken has lost my vote if he rejoins. It's a pity because I think he is the best for London.
Alan Bower, SE London

I can see why Tony wants Ken back in, to avoid Labour losing London Mayor elections again, but Ken forgets that he got many anti-Tony votes last time. Whilst Ken has never really been a socialist (he enjoys personal wealth too much) neither has Tony, they don't get on as they are too similar, enjoying power.
Brian, London

Ironically, they are both pragmatists which seems to really annoy - and at the same time unite - their respective opponents. Steve, UK

Oh dear, what vitriol both Ken and Tony stir up! Ironically, they are both pragmatists which seems to really annoy - and at the same time unite - their respective opponents. Ken knows which side is bread is buttered, and so does Tony, and to all those who believe Ken is great Socialist but Tony isn't I would mention just one other name: Diane Abbot!
Steve, UK

Sounds like a good idea, make use of the Labour party funding to get re-elected, making sure one of the other clowns doesn't get in, then simply disagree with the government and get kicked out of the party again once elected. Sounds like a fool proof plan.
Giles Clinker, London

I hope he does re join the Labour party - having someone with clear values and who might help to shift the labour party from the right wing road Blair is taking will be a good thing.
Elly, Bristol

He will prove a more effective opposition to Tony Blair than any current Conservative Alan Younger, Chichester, England

Yes, let Ken rejoin the Labour Party. He will prove a more effective opposition to Tony Blair than any current Conservative.
Alan Younger, Chichester, England

Let him back in he's ruined London now let him do the same to the Labour party.
Ian Hodges, Dudley

Ken Livingstone and the Labour Party have shown themselves to be as unprincipled as each other. If either of them had an ounce of integrity, this wouldn't be happening. They deserve each other as far as I'm concerned.
Brian, London, UK

As Ken and 'New' Labour are so different, I find it hard to fathom why he is being asked back. John C, Bath, UK

If it was for genuine reasons I would have ho hesitation in saying yes, as the Labour Party is desperately in need of a talented and principled Politician. However, as Ken and 'New' Labour are so different, I find it hard to fathom why he is being asked back, or why he would want to rejoin. Clearly it is a cynical ploy to avoid Blair being humiliated in the London mayoral election.
John C, Bath, UK

Those who slam the Blairites mustn't forget that Blair made Labour elect-able. It wasn't the Labour vote that put him in power. It was the vote of a disenchanted middle England. Livingstone represents old fashioned socialist values. He is a communist. Unfortunately, as Labour found out for many years, people don't want old fashioned socialism. Any move towards the dark old days will be the end for Labour. And it cant come too soon.
Mark H, Harpenden, Hertfordshire

Labour have realised that they'll never regain London unless they join up with Ken. Shame on him for going back to Labour - it was great that he could stand up to the Government and was not bound by them. I suspect he'll lose a lot of votes if he is no longer independent, and becomes just another puppet with Tony browbeating and pulling the strings
JH, Herts

To rejoin the Labour Party would be abandoning all that he has achieved in his mayoral term. Kelvin Morrison, London, UK

Ken Livingstone is a symbol, even a beacon in this country that this Labour government can't swing its weight around. He stood against Dobson and defeated him; to rejoin the Labour Party would be abandoning all that he has achieved in his mayoral term.
Kelvin Morrison, London, UK

Livingstone will do anything to be re-elected as London's Mayor. If he is taken back into the fold, it will be a marriage of convenience, and will only stand as long as the circumstances suit him. For this reason Labour should think long and hard before readmitting him.
Chris Saunders, London/ U/K

If he does it'll just show he has as few principles as the Labour Party anyway! The fact that Labour have gone on bended knee to get him back shows they know their other candidate has no chance of winning.
John, UK

I can see that as a life long Labour member he does want to return to them. William Warbrick, London

I can see that as a life long Labour member he does want to return to them; however they are the party that stitched him up in the first place and also the party who wouldn't have had the guts to introduce measures such as the congestion charge which have helped London. He won last time as an independent - why risk associating himself with a discredited party and Prime Minister. Simon Hughes gets my vote if Ken rejoins Labour.
William Warbrick, London

I don't care which party he belongs to - the only political agenda this man has is his own. He has done absolutely nothing for the people of London since becoming mayor except waste their taxes, damage their economy and interfere in national politics! He has to go!!!
Robert, London

Rejoin? He never left. It is the Blairites that have left the Labour Party. JM, London

Rejoin? He never left. It is the Blairites that have left the Labour Party by betraying its socialist roots and moving the party all the way to the centre right.
JM, London

This will determine my vote in the next elections for London Mayor. Mr. Livingstone has done a good job as an independent Mayor, but I don't think he will be able to repeat that if he is bound by the rules of Labour and their dreadful leadership. So I will only vote for him if he is not running for Labour.
John, London, UK

No! No! No! Not if he wishes to continue giving the appearance of being a savvy - even truthful - politician. Rejoining the biggest party of liars ever known is a seriously backward step to take.
Bob, UK

No. He has managed to retain his integrity by not being part of it. Does he really want to taint himself?
Gerry, UK

A large part of the reason why Livingstone was elected mayor was because he was an independent candidate. Richard, UK

I think a large part of the reason why Livingstone was elected mayor of London was because he was an independent candidate. I think a lot of people's idea of a good mayor is one who will do what's right for the city they represent, irrespective of whatever the government, or their party leadership wishes.
Richard, UK

He shouldn't just rejoin, how about Ken as the new leader? I would vote for that one!
Mark, UK

Emphatically NO. If he does it will just show how transparent and shallow Labour really are - trying any ploy to remain popular - A sure fire general election loser.
Sarah, Derby, England

Isn't the Labour Party joining Ken Livingstone? Nicholas Appleton, London England

Isn't the Labour Party joining Ken Livingstone so that they can govern London?
Nicholas Appleton, London England

Surely he will be too busy campaigning for Saddam to be re-instated as the Iraqi president. As he was too busy protesting about the war, than running London.
Lee Griffin, Fareham, UK