Livingstone goes for the fashion vote ahead of election

Ken Livingstone has promised LFW a permanent London location if he is re-elected as mayor

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London Mayor Ken Livingstone has made a direct play to secure the fashion vote ahead of the mayoral elections next month.

Launching his arts and creative manifesto this morning, Livingstone pledged to secure London Fashion Week a permanent London location and to improve conditions for models in the fashion industry.

He said: "London is a world centre for fashion. Great designers such as Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen and John Galiano use London as a place of inspiration, to experiment and to launch new ideas. I will support steps to ensure London continues to launch the new talent of the future."

Livingstone added: "I will ensure there is support for the new design talent that is the bedrock of the industry. I will help Fashion Week establish a permanent venue in the capital. At the same I will work to improve conditions in the industry, particularly for models, through ensuring that the recommendations of the Model Health Inquiry are implemented."

He added that he would work with the fashion industry to address discrimination, which has meant it is hard for non-white models to find work and pledged to support initiatives to help designers from different backgrounds.