Ken close behind Boris with YouGov

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

Despite maintaining a relatively low profile since he was selected as Labour’s London mayoral candidate back in September, Ken Livingstone is only just behind Boris Johnson in the race to be London’s next Mayor according to YouGov.

Boris Johnson is only narrowly ahead on first preferences, by 46% to 44%. When respondents were forced to choose between Johnson and Livingstone, Boris would beat Ken by 46% to 41% with 14% saying don’t know.

With both candidates having a record in the role to stand on, the public’s impression of their time in power will be pivotal come 2012. Currently 58% think Johnson is doing well as Mayor, but 56% think Livingstone did well during his time as Mayor. According to YouGov, their approval ratings are good for markedly different reasons:

“On specific measures, Boris has a positive rating on the London buses, crime and the Olympics, but a negative approval on his handling of the tube. Ken Livingstone has higher ratings than Boris Johnson on both competence, and being in touch with the concerns of ordinary Londoners.”

Although this is only one poll, YouGov were the only company to correctly predict Boris Johnson’s election as London mayor back in 2008 – therefore this poll will be taken seriously by both camps. Although almost two years out from the election, this looks like it could be a vindication both of Labour selecting a candidate so far out from polling day, and selecting Livingstone, who is a London brand that reaches beyond Labour’s vote in the capital.