Paddick launches London manifesto

Mr Paddick says he wants to cut the cost of the mayoralty

Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick has launched his manifesto to become London mayor, arguing that Labour incumbent Ken Livingstone has "lost touch".

The former senior police officer said he would act on voters' "priorities", rather than "personal agendas".

Mr Paddick is promising to cut crime, make public transport more reliable and create more affordable housing.

He is running against Mr Livingstone, Tory Boris Johnson and seven other candidates in the 1 May election.

'Prepared to act'

At his official manifesto launch, he said: "Livingstone did make a difference in his first four years in office, but he's gradually lost touch with Londoners.

"He is not listening any more. He's surrounded by personal advisers pursuing their own personal agendas.

"We need somebody who is prepared to act on what London's priorities are, not what the mayor or his own advisors are saying Londoners should have."

Mr Paddick, a former Metropiltan Police deputy assistant commissioner, has pledged to cut crime by 5% in each year of his first term in his office, if elected.

He is also promising to make bus and Tube journeys quicker, with less overcrowding.

Mr Paddick, 49, says he will cut the cost of the mayoralty and use more derelict land to build affordable housing.

He said: "My term as mayor is going to be about competence and probity.

"I have worked on the streets serving Londoners. I have managed large budgets and large teams of people to deliver real reductions in crime and making people safer. I have never had my integrity called into question."

A Guardian/ICM poll last week put his support at 10%, giving Mr Johnson 42% and Mr Livingstone 41%. A sample of 1,002 adults was interviewed from 28 March to 1 April.