Steve Norris

Ken Livingstone's challengers in London's mayoral race have pledged to step up efforts in the last 100 days of campaigning.

Conservative candidate Steve Norris and Liberal Democrat contender Simon Hughes increased the war of words on Wednesday in a bid to grab the attention of the Capital's voters.

Norris promised that if he won on June 11 he would set new targets for cutting crime and, ahead of another walkout on the Underground, he promised "no strike agreements" with tube workers.

"I intend to hit the ground running from June 11. Londoners have had four years of high taxes with very little in return," he said.

"In 100 days time, voters will have the chance to pass judgement on Livingstone’s four years in office.

"As mayor, I will take a more hands on role in sorting out the Capital’s problems – with tackling crime as my top priority. If crime is not lower at the end of four years, I certainly won’t expect to be re-elected."

Two party control

Hughes called for Londoners to reject the two parties that had controlled London for decades.

He highlighted a report rating London 11th out of 15 Western cities for quality of life.

"For more than 20 years London has been run by either Mr Livingstone at the GLC, Mr Norris as minister for London, or Mr Livingstone again as mayor," Hughes said.

"Yet residents of our great city have some of the worst quality of life of any of the major Western city. There can be no excuses from Mr Livingstone or Mr Norris.

"It has been their responsibility to make London a better place. Their double act leadership of London has failed and London should move on."