The other Dobson quits race for mayor
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Enemies to the left of him, enemies to the right of him, Frank Dobson finally bowed to the inevitable yesterday and quit the mayor of London race.
Unfortunately for Ken Livingstone, the dead Dobbo in question was Frank S Dobson, the retired publisher from Surrey, rather than Frank G Dobson, the retired secretary of state for Health from Camden, north London.
The 65-year-old namesake of Labour's official candidate for mayor announced that the financial and administrative cost of running for the top job was simply too much for him.
Frank S Dobson threw the mayoral race into confusion when he announced to The Independent earlier this month that he was joining the contest. Fed up with the whole idea of a new layer of bureaucracy for the capital, he said he was running on a platform of opposition to the creation of the Greater London Assembly and mayor.
Yet yesterday, Mr Dobson said that he was abandoning his campaign because of sheer cost and red tape put in the way of hopeful mayors. He had failed to meet the electoral hurdle of getting the backing of 10 voters in each of the 33 London boroughs. The £10,000 deposit, despite an offer from an anonymous donor, had also proved too difficult to raise. He would also have needed another £10,000 for publicity.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments