BRITAIN:London's pugnacious mayor, Ken Livingstone, will stand for a third term next year, Labour said yesterday.
The main opposition parties have so far failed to name a candidate to stand against the outspoken mayor, a one-time left-wing maverick who has patched up his relationship with Tony Blair's ruling party.
Mr Livingstone was elected to the newly created post of mayor as an independent in 2000 after Labour expelled him for running against Mr Blair's chosen candidate. But he was readmitted to the party before winning a second term in 2004.
He has been popular for imposing a congestion charge for cars in the centre of the city, adding extra buses, helping to win the 2012 Olympics and leading the public response after suicide bombers killed 52 commuters in July 2005.