Although the London Mayoral elections will not directly affect people in Beaconsfield, many of those commuters who work in London will be affected by the outcome.

Projects directly linked to the Mayor - such as Crossrail - will make a big difference to the lives of those many people in Beaconsfield who commute to the capital.

Today I attended the launch of Ken Livingstone's campaign, and as usual he didn't disappoint.

Ken is one of a dwindling number of politicians that genuinely inspire me. Amongst the bland managerial types that dominate the high echelons of politics, Ken is a true radical and revolutionary - whilst retaining an all important sense of pragmatism.

Ken's quality - almost unique in today's cautious political climate - is that he takes risks. He has never been afraid to challenge vested interests, assumptions and opinion polls. His line is always "if Londoners don’t like it, they can get themselves another Mayor". Such bravery in politics in commendable, and the fact that he has won two election victories is testament to the fact that he usually gets it right.

When he has been overruled by those who think they know better - most notably in the case of the Public Private Partnership for the London Underground - he has been proved right. Had Ken got his way originally and funded the Tube through public bonds Londoners would have saved millions of pounds and received far better service for their money.

Commuters to London have benefited from Ken's policies over the last eight years. We've seen an increase in police numbers and reduction in crime that benefits all who live and work in the capital, and massive investment in public transport. Then there's Crossrail - a £16bn project that wouldn't be going ahead without Ken's enthusiastic support.

London needs a serious Mayor. Boris Johnson has already demonstrated that he is not up to the job - his sums don't add up and the Underground didn't event get a mention in his transport manifesto.

Beaconsfield residents have no say over who wins on May 1st, but when talking to friends and colleagues who live in London I hope you'll encourage them to vote for Ken.