Hilary Benn called for Londoners to recognise the serious choice posed in the mayoral election on 1 May and said the capital must not go backwards.

During a visit to Stockwell campaigning with Labour Party members, the Environment Secretary said that this year’s election posed a stark choice and a vote for Labour Mayor Ken Livingstone would see improvements continue.

“The first door we knocked on today we asked a man who lived there how do you think Ken is doing,” Hilary Benn said.

“’We notice more police in the area,’ he said and ‘the travel for kids on public transport is good’. That’s Labour politics working.

“This election is about whether we’re going to continue to see that in London or go backwards, which is what Boris Johnson would represent.

“It’s a real choice here, and this is an election that matters. It’s a serious choice for Londoners, this is a great capital city so use your vote.

“Vote for Ken and return Labour in London on 1 May.”

For more information on Ken Livingstone’s campaign, click here.