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Former mayor of London Ken Livingstone talks to journalists in east London in this 2008 file picture. The Labour Party has chosen Livingstone as its candidate for the next city leadership race in 2012. Image Credit: AP

London: Britain's Labour Party has chosen former London mayor Ken Livingstone as its candidate for the next city leadership race in 2012.

Livingstone defeated former lawmaker Oona King in a vote of party members and affiliated organisations.

Livingstone said Friday his mayoral campaign will focus on keeping public transport fares down and fighting spending cuts.

The choice sets up a rerun of the 2008 mayoral race, pitting veteran left-winger Livingstone - nicknamed "Red Ken" - against Conservative incumbent Boris Johnson.

Livingstone was London's first elected mayor, serving for eight years before being beaten by Johnson, an eccentric, bicycling former journalist and legislator.