You Can't Say That

You Can't Say That is the political memoir of Ken Livingstone, chronicling his journey from leader of the Greater London Council through his terms as the first elected Mayor of London. The book provides an inside view of British politics from the 1980s through the 2000s. The memoir details Livingstone's conflicts with Margaret Thatcher's government, his opposition to New Labour under Tony Blair, and his experiences running London as an independent candidate. His accounts include the challenges of managing Europe's largest city, responding to the 2005 London bombings, and securing the 2012 Olympics. Livingstone's narrative covers key policy initiatives, political battles, and personal controversies from his decades in public office. The book sparked varied reactions from critics, with some praising its candor while others questioned its interpretations of events. The memoir serves as both a personal history and a broader examination of the evolution of left-wing politics in Britain, documenting significant shifts in the Labour Party and urban governance during a period of intense political change.

Readers describe this autobiography as detailed but sometimes self-serving. Several note Livingstone's candid accounts of London politics and his conflicts with the media, Labour Party, and Margaret Thatcher. Readers appreciated: - Behind-the-scenes details of London governance - The complete coverage of his political career - His straightforward writing style - Historical context for key London events Common criticisms: - Defensive tone about controversies - Too much focus on personal feuds - Lacks reflection or self-criticism - Dense policy details that slow the narrative Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (42 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.1/5 (31 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Comprehensive but needed more introspection" - Goodreads reviewer "Important historical record but refuses to acknowledge mistakes" - Amazon UK reviewer "Fascinating inside view of London politics, though clearly biased" - LibraryThing review

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🔸 Livingstone served as the first-ever directly elected Mayor of London (2000-2008), earning the nickname "Red Ken" for his left-wing policies and outspoken socialist views. 🔸 As leader of the Greater London Council in the 1980s, he introduced the "Fares Fair" policy, which significantly reduced public transport costs until it was challenged in court. 🔸 Despite being a Labour Party member for decades, Livingstone won his first mayoral term as an independent candidate after being blocked from becoming Labour's official nominee. 🔸 During his mayoralty, Livingstone introduced the congestion charge in central London (2003), which became a model for other cities worldwide and reduced traffic by approximately 15%. 🔸 The book's title refers to his reputation for making controversial statements, including his opposition to Margaret Thatcher's policies, which led to the abolition of the Greater London Council in 1986.