Scandal over Games village swings mayoral post to 'younger brother'

Vancouver

Vancouver voters who headed to the polls at the weekend had their choice between two men who were remarkably similar.

Both play the guitar and are avid cyclists. They even look like they could be related, with two-term city councillor Peter Ladner often portrayed as the more studious older brother to Gregor Robertson, who is taller and more tanned. But the latter scored over 10,000 votes more than his rival in a victory that was a clear indication of how quickly a campaign can change.

The race for mayor had a slow start. Both are successful businessmen. Mr Robertson founded an organic juice company; Mr Ladner, a business publication.

But two weeks ago, the race suddenly changed after it was revealed Mr Robertson was dodging a minor scandal over a C$173 (HK$1,085) fine for underpaying a fare on the SkyTrain. He was also attempting to have the fine reversed, arguing that it was too high - a battle he supposedly took up for lower income earners who might get stung the same way.

His critics in the Non-Partisan Association, the party Mr Ladner leads, said the fine and his fight showed Mr Robertson showed a lack of leadership, a criticism that particularly stung because of his relative inexperience.