Meanings
- UKderogatoryhumorousgovernmentA nickname for Ken Livingstone.
"Red Ken" was always a bit of a joke. I don't think he's even a Red.
2008, Andrew Hosken, Ken, The Ups and Downs of Ken Livingstone, page 292 more examples
In a different way the Sun on 9 March employs one of its daily letters specials, 'The Big Issue' , to remind readers through letters of the dangers they perceive in Livingstone's potential tenure, editorially linking its political aversion to Livingstone to readers' views: 'Remember what Red Ken really stands for.
2001, Martin Conboy, The Press and Popular Culture, page 164Livingstone, 58, a man for whom the words maverick and firebrand might have been invented, is a veteran London politician dubbed Red Ken for his brand of left-wing politics, such as his advocating for gay rights legislation and British concessions in Northern Ireland.
July 15, 2003, M.W., “The Man Behind The Plan”, in CIO, volume 16, number 9, page 56
Origin
From Red + Ken, due to his strong socialist beliefs and progressive policies.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
Red Ken. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Red%20Ken
“Red Ken.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Red%20Ken. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Red Ken,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Red%20Ken.
Source: Red Ken on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.