1. The meeting was packed even though it took place in the middle of a grey Thursday morning. Who said people are not interested in politics? London is lucky to have a Mayor and the elections that come with the high profile post. It is extraordinary to recall that until Labour introduced the system London had no elected body, no accountable forum, no space for voters to debate issues in one of the most important cities in the world. Geoffrey Howe was right when he described the abolition of the old GLC as the biggest mistake made by the Tory government in the 1980s. Other cities in Britain should be pleading for a similar system.

2. The hustings was organised by the Green Alliance so obviously the issues under consideration related to the environment. Other meetings will no doubt focus on other policies areas. Even so it is amazing how quickly the environment has become a pivotal issue with all four candidates competing to prove their environmental credentials.

3. What a joy to attend a meeting where the focus was on policy and not on the attempts by the Evening Standard to destroy Ken Livingstone.

4. In that context Livingstone was the best performer, authoritative and self-assured. Boris Johnson still cannot utter a sentence without raising a laugh, even though he is trying to be serious. For the Greens, Sian Berry, is a star but has not got a hope of winning. Nor has the Lib Dems’ Brian Paddick who appeared out of his depth.

5. Livingstone versus Johnson is not exactly Obama versus Hilary/John McCain, but it will be good political theatre and the outcome matters.