Ken Livingstone and the future of humanity

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To the Royal Festival Hall for the formal launch of Ken Livingstone's campaign to be re-elected London mayor.

The election is of course an increasingly personal spat between Ken and Boris Johnson, and one which polls suggest Ken is losing.

So not surprisingly, the personal stuff was flying freely at Ken's event. Potted summary: Boris is a nasty right-winger who isn't even from London. ("I am a Londoner born and bred," Ken said, before accusing Boris of "dog whistle politics" on race.)

Expect blonde fury in response shortly. But one thing even Boris won't accuse Ken of is modesty.

Citizen Ken's closing thought today: "If we can get it right in our big cities, humanity has a future. That's what is at stake in this election."