Ken Livingstone

" The refusal was leaked to the press who were further enraged when he permitted Irish republican protesters from the H-Block Armagh Committee to hold a 48-hour vigil and fast on the steps of County Hall throughout the wedding celebrations during which they launched 100 black balloons over the city. In the London Labour Briefing Livingstone announced "London's ours! After the most vicious GLC election of all time the Labour Party has won a working majority on a radical socialist programme. The campaign sent Livingstone on a £845000 party roadshow conference in which he successfully convinced the Liberal and Social Democratic parties to oppose abolition.

His leadership during the 7 July 2005 London bombings was widely praised and brought him international attention. More successful were his schemes to benefit women and underprivileged minorities despite facing stiff opposition.