'Naked Opportunism' of Livingstone's return to Labour

9.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 8th Jan 2004

The decision by the Labour Party to allow Ken Livingstone to rejoin has been condemned by Steven Gauge, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Spokesman for Croydon & Sutton.

"This is naked opportunism by Labour. Tony Blair is only allowing Ken Livingstone back into the Labour Party to avoid the humiliation of coming fourth in the Mayoral election."

"This shot-gun wedding between Tony Blair and Ken Livingstone is only for the sake of the children - the Labour Party."

"Croydon residents who voted for Ken as an Independent to stand up to the Labour Party will feel betrayed and let down by his u-turn."

"I am amazed at how Ken can reconcile his views with the Labour Party given that they are miles apart on key issues like Iraq, public services, transport and tuition fees," said Steven Gauge.

As well as being Liberal Democrat London Assembly Spokesman for Croydon & Sutton, Steven Gauge is a member of Liberal Democrat London Mayoral Candidate Simon Hughes' campaign strategy team for London.