Thumbnail Profiles of London's Mayoral Candidates

A look at a few of the candidates to be mayor of London.

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KEN LIVINGSTONE: Known for his left-wing politics and pioneering London congestion charge. Won wide praise for his handling of the July 2005 terror attacks and for winning the 2012 Olympic bid, but allegations of cronyism have taken a toll on his standing. Born in London, he is nicknamed ''Red'' Ken for his outspoken socialism. He presided over a period of spectacular economic growth, but visceral hatred of President Bush and allegations of anti-Semitism against him have raised eyebrows. Recently acknowledged fathering three children with two women in addition to the two children he has with his longtime partner.

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BORIS JOHNSON: Came as Conservatives were struggling to find someone to challenge Livingstone. Frequent appearances on satirical British news panel show helped build the name-recognition needed, but he faces a challenge in historically left-leaning London. He opposes gay marriage and previous statements about Islam have caused disquiet. Unlike the other two mayoral front runners, Johnson is not from London; he was born in New York in 1964 and attended elite Eton College and Oxford.

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BRIAN PADDICK: Formerly Britain's most senior openly gay police commander. The Liberal Democrats' openness and crime-fighting experience have attracted voters, though polls suggest he will not become mayor. His supporters are heavily courted by Johnson and Livingstone, who are hoping to capture their second-choice votes.

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Londoners have a host of other candidates to choose from, including the Green Party's Sian Berry and the far-right British National Party's Richard Barnbrook.

Sian Berry
http://sianformayor.org.uk/
"Previously the Green Party's Principal Speaker and national Campaigns Coordinator, Siân is one of the founders of the successful campaign group the Alliance Against Urban 4x4s. She has campaigned in her local area of Camden for a greener development in the huge Kings Cross railway lands area, and one which provides high levels of social and affordable housing."

Richard Barnbrook
http://london.bnp.org.uk/
Councillor Richard Barnbrook, the leader of the BNP group on Barking & Dagenham council, is the party's candidate for Mayor in the London elections taking place on 1 May 2008...
Since graduating from the Royal Academy of Art he has been deeply involved with Landscape Art...has lectured and exhibited extensively... and has also taught art, focusing on schools with a high percentage of students with special needs."

See a comprehensive list of the 2008 London Mayoral Candidates: http://www.mayorwatch.co.uk/2008-Mayoral-Candidates-article_id-1442.html