FORMER London Mayor Ken Livingstone was the lunchtime speaker on day two of the Swindon Festival of Literature, sharing his wit with the audience.

He was there to promote his new book, called You Can’t Say That. The title, he claims, was not his idea, but is a reference his outspoken nature in politics and that of the book.

It is the story of how Ken formed his political ideas and moved into the political arena, despite only having an interest in nature when he was younger – telling the audience that his hero when growing up was David Attenborough.

Ken said that the aim of the book, written in the three years after he lost the London Mayoral Election in 2008, is to educate those entering politics today on how to avoid making the same mistakes he did.

The book tells of a number of Ken’s stories from inside politics, many of which he says had to be examined closely by libel lawyers.

It was clear that he is an experienced public speaker. Given 45 minutes to talk, he stopped almost exactly on the second without the aid of a clock or watch.

He spoke with wit about his experiences in politics, although it is clear his belief in left-wing politics has not altered with age.

Much of the talk was Ken giving examples of how he feels that modern day politics has gone so wrong, with to much focus a wealth creation and not on inequality. He admitted that many of stories he told were based in the past, but claimed that much of what people feel to be new is in fact a repeat.

He also described how he became to be known as Red Ken, thanks to a remark made by Margaret Thatcher and the threat he was to London.

It become such a common name that on one occasion as a councillor he went to open a Sikh temple and the Plaque referred to him as Red Ken because people honestly believed that to be his name.

The final 15 minutes was thrown open to the audience to ask questions – and Ken was happy to answer anything asked of him.

He said that he was not bothered what was put on his gravestone and stated his belief that Labour leader Ed Miliband has what it takes about him to be a game changing politician.

There was also the typical Ken Livingstone criticism of the mainstream media for its focus on trivial political issues that he feels was largely responsible for him losing the mayoral election.