This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7318170.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
London mayoral nominations close Ten candidates for London mayor
(about 6 hours later)
Nominations have closed for the London mayoral contest. Ten candidates will take part in the London mayoral election on 1 May, it has been announced.
Labour mayor Ken Livingstone will run for his third term, challenged by Conservative Boris Johnson and Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick. At the close of nominations they had secured the 330 backers necessary to run for the job which has been held by Ken Livingstone since 2000.
Among others expected to run are those representing the Greens, BNP, UKIP, the Left List and Christian Choice. Mr Livingstone will run for Labour, Boris Johnson for the Conservatives and Brian Paddick for the Lib Dems.
Nominations closed at 1200 GMT and a full list of candidates is expected soon. Londoners will cast their votes on 1 May. The Greens, UKIP, the BNP, Christian Choice, Left List, English Democrats and one independent also got through.
Candidates had to pay a £10,000 deposit, refundable if they get 5% of first choice votes, and secure 330 backers - 10 from each London borough and the City. Candidates had to pay a £10,000 deposit and secure 330 backers - 10 from each London borough and the City.
'Effectively barred' THE TEN CANDIDATES Alan Craig Christian ChoiceBoris JohnsonConservativesBrian PaddickLiberal DemocratsGerard Batten UKIPKen Livingstone Labour Lindsey GermanLeft List partyMatt O'ConnorEnglish DemocratsRichard Barnbrook BNPSian Berry GreensWinston McKenzie Independent
Several other small parties said they would stand a candidate but did not make it to the final list - including the Senior Citizens' Party, Stop the Congestion Charge party and New Britain.
On Thursday London Assembly member Damian Hockney withdrew from the mayoral race, blaming a lack of media coverage for smaller parties.On Thursday London Assembly member Damian Hockney withdrew from the mayoral race, blaming a lack of media coverage for smaller parties.
He said it was "nothing to do with" a fear of losing his £10,000 deposit and complained that smaller groups were "effectively barred" from certain types of campaigning.He said it was "nothing to do with" a fear of losing his £10,000 deposit and complained that smaller groups were "effectively barred" from certain types of campaigning.
Among other small parties who have said they will have a candidate are the English Democrats, the Senior Citizens' Party, Stop the Congestion Charge party and New Britain.
If none of the mayoral candidates gets more than 50% of votes at the first count, all but the top two candidates are knocked out and their second preference votes shared out.If none of the mayoral candidates gets more than 50% of votes at the first count, all but the top two candidates are knocked out and their second preference votes shared out.
Their deposits are refunded if they get 5% of first-choice votes.
Several candidates are also standing for a seat on the London Assembly, made up of 14 constituency members and 11 on the London-wide "top up" list - elected by proportional representation.Several candidates are also standing for a seat on the London Assembly, made up of 14 constituency members and 11 on the London-wide "top up" list - elected by proportional representation.