"Hi Ken. First time caller, long-term listener!"

DavidPrescott Tue May 20, 2008 at 12:52:39 PM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

It's just been reported by media.guardian.co.uk that Ken Livingstone has signed on to be a radio presenter on LBC.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/may/20/globalradio.radio





Ken's going to have his own weekly show on the station. His permanent slot's not been announced but he'll initially be a stand-in presenter for Jenni Barnett's weekday three-hour afternoon show between 1pm and 4pm from June 30.

I think this is a pretty shrewd move on Ken's part. It'll allow him to be more approachable to Londoners and hopefully his warmth and humour will come through with his own show.

More importantly, it'll also allow him to regularly comment on London issues and stay in the spotlight.

Thoughts?


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"Hi Ken. First time caller, long-term listener!" | 11 comments (11 topical)

Re: "Hi Ken. (#1)

by Al on Tue May 20, 2008 at 01:16:23 PM GMT

Very clever I think.

Every week the media will have a pre-written story along the lines of 'Ken slams Boris for ...'.

He'll do their job for them and keep some pressure on Johnson.

Good stuff.


Re: "Hi Ken. (#2)

by lastword on Tue May 20, 2008 at 01:58:23 PM GMT

Simply brilliant.  Ken 2012 is in the bag already.  I noticed the Tories forced Johnson to write to Hazel Blears last week trying to ban third term Mayoralties.  Complete desperation!  You'd think Bojo would have more then enough to get on with only less than a month he's been in office than to be worrying about the role of London Mayor 8 years later!  They're still completely terrified of the man they beat only two weeks ago!  Long live Ken!  Can't wait for 2012.


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Re: "Hi Ken. (#3)

by swatantra on Tue May 20, 2008 at 05:31:37 PM GMT

There really wasn't much else Ken could do apart from going into the Media. Galloway has a successful slot on Talk Sport.


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Re: "Hi Ken. (#4)

by TRUSSMAN5 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 06:05:38 PM GMT

If you think that Livingstone criticising Johnson will come across as anything but sour grapes then maybe you lot are right.  I think the people like us who support Labour and Livingstone will listen to his show and other people will either respect his "Partial" views or think he's just a man with an axe to grind like Gorgeous George.

Sorry i'm not more excited about this but years of campaigning for Labour gives me a more open view of these things and I don't take the Electorate for granted.


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Re: "Hi Ken. (#6)

by AngryVoter on Wed May 21, 2008 at 10:06:11 PM GMT

I thought Bozza is trying to ban third Term consecutive Mayoralities because Ken said he wouldn't run for a third term because "They always cock it up" and then he promptly went and stood for a third term?

 

I mean, if ole Red Ken stood in 2012 it'd be "Second Term" rather than third as he was the incumberent in 2004. 


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Re: "Hi Ken. (#7)

by lastword on Thu May 22, 2008 at 07:26:17 AM GMT

Good point!


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Re: "Hi Ken. First time calle" (#5)

by lambethlife on Tue May 20, 2008 at 06:06:57 PM GMT

It will be very interesting - my perception of day time talk radio in London is that it is populated by presenters and callers ranting about transport issues, anti cycling, anti 'political correctness' and generally anti anything progressive (I know thats a gross  generalisation but it reflects my limited experience of browing the airwaves during the day!) so I hope Ken can lead the way in creating a climate where issues such as transport can be dicussed with an informed presenter who takes a wider view fo the whole situation rather than one who just allows the callers to rant about their particular issues.


Re: "Hi Ken. First time calle" (#8)

by Just Labour on Fri May 23, 2008 at 03:42:31 PM GMT

"Ken 2012 is in the bag already."

I thought Ken was a great Mayor but he isn't coming back. The electorate made their views on that pretty clear. We need to move on, not back.

But Ken's endorsement will be critical for whoever does covet the candidacy.


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Re: "Hi Ken. First time calle" (#9)

by swatantra on Fri May 23, 2008 at 08:35:54 PM GMT

No one has a divine right to office. The political landscape will have changed in 4 years, and he'll have moved on I should imagine.


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Re: "Hi Ken. First time calle" (#10)

by lastword on Sat May 24, 2008 at 10:28:42 PM GMT

You guys really don't get Ken do you?  Trust me, he's coming back!  If you can find a stronger candidate I'll be happy to consider them....


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Re: "Hi Ken. First time calle" (#11)

by disenfranchisedleftie on Thu May 29, 2008 at 04:23:29 PM GMT

lambethlife - spot on.

Imo, the growth and political direction of talk radio has had a similar negative, rightward effect on the national political discourse as it has in the US. The 'PC brigade', 'liberal elite' or hilariously 'muesli-eating Guardinistas' have been built up as straw men to scapegoat for everything bad in the world. Its high time the balance was redressed and I can't think of a better advocate for progressives than Ken Livingstone.


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"Hi Ken. First time caller, long-term listener!" | 11 comments (11 topical)