Britain's ruling Labour Party reopened its doors yesterday to controversial London mayor Mr Ken Livingstone - the man Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair once declared would be a disaster for London.
The maverick left-winger was expelled in 2000 when he chose to run as an independent against the party's official candidate in London elections after it failed to select him.
"Red Ken", as he is widely known, over came this to become London's first elected mayor. Mr Blair feared he would do so again - elections are due in June - consigning his party to a humiliating defeat.
"Ken Livingstone is now a member of the Labour Party," a party spokesman said yesterday after a meeting of Labour's National Executive Committee, which Mr Blair attended.
Leaving an earlier meeting with party chiefs called to gauge his loyalty, a smiling Mr Livingstone said: "There were friends around the table that I was pleased to meet again." On June 10th, Mr Blair not only faces a vote for London's top politician but also European Parliament elections which last time were won by the Conservatives, and local council polls across the country in which the ruling party traditionally fares badly.
A poor showing, or even defeat, on all three fronts would be a blow for Mr Blair, puncturing his air of electoral invulnerability, with a general election expected in May 2005.
"It's a desperate attempt . . . to find somebody to whom they can pin their hopes and aspirations and hope to scramble home in June because they are the last big elections before the general election," said Liberal Democrat mayoral candidate Mr Simon Hughes.
Before the first mayoral vote in 2000, Mr Blair said "Red Ken" would scare off middle class voters, branding him a "disaster".
Mr Livingstone is now required to accept party policy but is unlikely to stop shooting from the hip. Ahead of President George Bush's visit to Britain late last year, he labelled Mr Blair's close ally the most dangerous man on the planet.
One of Britain's best-known politicians, he had been a member of the Labour Party for more than 30 years. He has since become a harsh critic of Mr Blair's government, especially its involvement in the Iraq war.
Mr Livingstone's reinstatement had been opposed by senior figures like the deputy prime minister, Mr John Prescott, and the chancellor of the exchequer, Mr Gordon Brown.
Labour's official candidate, Mr Nicky Gavron, has agreed to step aside and become the mayor's deputy, effectively giving Mr Livingstone a clear run.
- (Reuters)