Livingstone stands for third term

The London Labour Party has confirmed that it has accepted the mayor's request to stand for a third successive term next year.

It came after the party consulted Labour members across London.

Mr Livingstone said: "I am grateful for this opportunity to once more build upon the positive agenda for London. I intend to be mayor for all Londoners."

"I will be defending the international openness which has helped London overtake New York as the world's most successful financial centre"
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone

Mr Livingstone, who has been mayor of London since the position was created in 2000, said there were three key issues which every candidate must address in the mayoral election.

He said: "London's economy must continue to be successful - economic success is the precondition for everybody's prosperity and for the distribution of wealth throughout the capital.

"Second, all Londoners must be able to participate in our city's success, both to achieve social justice and to guarantee a decent quality of life for everyone.

"Third, this success must be sustainable in the long term - which means, above all, dealing with climate change."

'Economically efficient'

He also said racism would not be tolerated.

"I will be defending the international openness which has helped London overtake New York as the world's most successful financial centre," he said.

"That means showing no tolerance to any form of racism or intolerance, not only because it is socially just but because it is economically efficient."

The Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats are still searching for a mayoral candidate for the next contest.

The next election for Mayor of London and the London Assembly will take place on 1 May 2008.

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