2008 seems to feature some interesting elections. No, I am not focusing on Hillary and Barack, but on Ken, Boris and Brian. Perhaps to comply with the law, I should add Richard, Gerrard, Sian, Alan, Lindsey, Winston and Matt to that list (although Matt has given up before even the poll is held). Here in London, we have a strange election for the London Mayor and assembly in two days time, with three different ballot forms and two forms of voting. It is to be hoped that the problems that beset the last Scottish Parliamentary elections will not happen in London.
But when did politicians become to be known by their first names? Ken started the trend and his posters only say 'Vote Ken' - no mention of the Labour Party of any hue. Boris could only be Boris. A poster saying Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson might convey something quite different. And for a former Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police to be just Brian has to be an innovation too.
Polls are showing a close race, but with a second choice on the ballot and many still undecided, how my research colleagues can make any sense of it I do not know. And despite K, B and B appearing like music hall artistes in any venue that will have them, the election has to be seen as a warm-up act for Gordon and David (although familiarity of first names seems inappropriate for them)
Yesterday, I was in a bookshop where there was a special display of the biographies of Ken and Brian and the more eclectic outpourings of Boris. Was it Barack or Nicolas (Sarkozy) that made a book publication part of the political campaign?
I have no idea who might win, but I did notice that the biography of Ken is now reduced by £3. Does someone think they will have problems shifting these after Thursday?
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