After failing to become Labour 's candidate in the 2000 London mayoral election , Livingstone successfully contested the election as an independent candidate . In his first term as Mayor of London , he introduced the congestion charge , Oyster card , and articulated buses , and unsuccessfully opposed the government 's privatisation of London Underground . Despite his opposition to Blair 's government on issues like the Iraq War , Livingstone was invited to stand for re-election as Labour 's candidate and was re-elected in 2004 , expanding his transport policies , introducing new environmental regulations , and enacting civil rights policies . Initiating and overseeing London 's winning bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympics and ushering in a major redevelopment of the city 's East End , his leadership after the 7 July 2005 London bombings was widely praised . He stood unsuccessfully as Labour candidate in London 's mayoral elections of 2008 and 2012 , losing both to the Conservative candidate Boris Johnson . A longstanding critic of Israeli policy regarding the Palestinians , his comments about the relationship between Adolf Hitler and Zionism resulted in his suspension from the Labour Party in 2016 ; he then resigned in 2018
7 July 2005 London bombings
7 July 2005 London bombings
Ken Livingstone