Livingstone gets call from Blair

Ken Livingstone began his first full day as London's newly elected mayor on Saturday talking by phone to Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Blair, who had warned before Livingstone's election victory that the maverick lawmaker "would be a disaster," phoned Livingstone at Romney House, which is serving as temporary headquarters for the new London government. It was the first time the two men had spoken since Livingstone was declared the winner Friday of the first citywide mayoral race.

They talked for 20 minutes, and their conversation was described by the Labour Party as "very positive and constructive." No other details were given.

Livingstone was kicked out of Blair's Labour Party after deciding to run as an independent candidate against the prime minister's preferred choice.

During the often bitter campaign, Blair had warned Londoners against voting for Livingstone. He said Friday after the votes were tallied that his views had not changed but he was determined to cooperate with the new mayor.

Livingstone, dressed casually in jeans for his first day in the office, also promised to work with Blair.

"I'm not worried about what people think about me but I am worried about what they can do for London," said Livingstone.

"I don't ask people to love me. I'm not asking them to spend a week on holiday with me, but can we get a bit more money to solve London's problems?"

Earlier Eric Ollerenshaw, a newly-elected Tory member of the GLA, said his party would attempt to cooperate with the new mayor in spite of its policy differences.

He said Conservatives had been concerned about scepticism shown by Londoners for the new assembly.

Mr Ollerenshaw said there had been a very poor turnout and a large number of spoilt ballot papers in the poll.

He added that Tories were concerned about the cost of the assembly - £122 on council tax bills - and Mr Livingstone's plans for congestion charges.

"We will be seeking a positive outcome from these results. There has been a huge electoral success for the Conservatives in London and we will attempt to work with the devil himself if needs be to get London moving."

Graham Tope, a Liberal Democrat assembly member who also entered the building, said his party would seek to work with the new mayor as well as the other political groupings.