If there is one thing that Lembit Öpik is good at it is getting publicity. He has proved this again with his announcement that he will run for the job of London mayor if he wins the party’s blessing:
“If there’s enough interest in London to do it, I’ll stand,” he told the Guardian today as he prepared to join Billy Bragg on stage at Glastonbury.
“I’ve had a conversation with the leadership and they say they won’t take a final position. I’m not narcissistic or precious about it. If the party doesn’t want me to stand then I’ll respect that.”
The 45-year-old, who has reinvented himself as a stand-up comedian since leaving Westminster, said he was not “trying to be a member of the awkward squad”, adding: “I just think I could run London well and my libertarian approach could be good for the city.”
He has recently toyed with the notion in his comedy act, telling audiences: “There is one job that seems to suit me – a funny name, little bit odd sometimes, quirky, a chequered background and ex-MP – Mayor of London.”
The capital, he said, had already shown a willingness to be amused by electing the current mayor, Boris Johnson. “Boris has proved that London likes personality, [but] I am leftwing and libertarian.”
Asked whether he would have to give up comedy were he to win, Öpik said: “Boris didn’t. And my comedy is laughter with a purpose. If you can’t do politics with a smile, why should people take you seriously? But I’m at the mercy of London. If they want me, they can have me.”
The party is staying tight lipped about the announcement, as they need to because the final decision will be made by the membership. Those members however, will have to weigh up Lembit’s high profile against his occasional lapses in political judgement and consider how seriously voters will take him when faced with a choice in the polling station.
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I believe that Lembit would be a good choice for the Lib Dems. He has the support of a number of councillors and activists and is the only candidate pursuing the Lib Dem mayoral opportunity at present. He has a serious commitment to liberal values and has a good team to back him up. Last time I checked he was joint favourite at 50-1 with Vince Cable amongst Lib Dem candidates. As things stand Lembit is the only serious Lib Dem who really wants to take this on.
The mayoral election is an AV election so coming second in the first round may be enough to win it for the Lib Dems. Mayoral elections also favour candidates who are personalities. These factors play to Lembits strengths.
Elections are unpredictable and Lembit is one Lib Dem candidate who could cause issues for Ken/Oona or Boris. We can win this if we tap in to the needs of Londoners.