Alexander,

It is rare for a Tory to approve of anything that Ken Livingstone does but I concur that he is a remarkable politician.

He's far more pragmatic than many thought, more aware of the majority opinion than many had expected, but still brave as a bulldog. He is a real "crazy brave" but he has real control. That's incredibly rare - Keating had it as Treasurer but perhaps lost it when he was PM. No doubt Ken is more left wing than me, but as a governor I think that he is well within the tolerance band and runs a tight ship.

I also think London elections are more "progressive" than other parts of Britain so he is helped no doubt by this.

But the congestion charge, and a full bid for the games indicates a politician with a real win or lose mentality. He may not be PM material but he is a great inventor of his job, and an expansionist in his ability to have say in matters beyond his ambit.

I think Ken Livingstone could teach a Labor Premier a thing or two about risk taking. But then again - they keep winning too. So apart from John Howard the westminster parliaments are looking pro-Labor these days. Long may it be so. We've had to put up with Conservative administrations for most of last century across the board.

Thanks,
Corin