And Ed Randall, who proposed the amendment, said the Office for Budget Responsibility, which the government relies on for its economic forecasts, had becomea"laughing stock".
Liberal Democrat candidate Susan Kramer said the public, once enthusiastic for a mayor, had now become cynical and the contest had the potential to make London into alaughingstock.
Next came the search for a venue and the landlord of the Ordulph Arms, Andy Coad, was soon roped in so the idea of the LaughingStock Upstairs at the Ordulph started to becomea reality.