Greenford to South Kenton

Only five and a half miles of the Capital Ring this Sunday, as I was feeling tired after Saturday night.

This is one of the hilliest sections of the ring with fine views from Horsenden Hill, followed by a long slog up to Harrow On The Hill. Was surprised to see that someone has dug up a section of the path on the Harrow School playing fields - let's hope they put it back. Also a bit confusing round the back of Northwick Park Hospital where a new golf course interrupts the route - some signs would not go amiss here, if anyone from TfL reads this.

Gordon Brown - Live

Last week I was invited to the CBI annual dinner where the guest speaker was Gordon Brown, soon to be Prime Minister. I hadn't seen him 'live' before and it provided an interesting opportunity to assess the new opponent. His speech broke into three sections:

First, some anecdotes to get the audience warmed up. GB seemed highly uncomfortable, although the material itself was sound, and there was a lot of touching the face and hair. Very closed and introverted hand gestures.

Second, the economic stuff, delivered in a long monologue without full stops, capital letters or any change of tone. This makes it difficult to follow his argument and sounds a bit like someone reading out the Yellow Pages. Some people clearly thought he must be very clever, because they couldn't understand what he was saying!

Finally, some stuff on training and raising skills, which he delivered with passion and commitment. Obviously this is the subject that motivates him and keeps him in politics. We can expect plenty more of this.

But on the whole, he appeared uncomfortable speaking to a large audience. This was not helped by his trademark decision to wear a lounge suit when we were all in black tie, as if he had some sort of 'statement' to make. Tony Blair or Ken Livingstone would have been more charismatic and engaging - I could have done it better myself....

I pointed this out to a fellow guest. He's a lot better than he was last time he spoke, was the response.

MQT Alert

There was no Question Time in April and it seems like ages since we quizzed the Mayor, so there will be plenty to catch up on next week. Question Time will take place on Wednesday 23rd May at 10:00am.

Victory!

In the Chingford Green by election:

This was caused by the sad death of Cllr Derek Arnold, a good friend who was the group whip at Waltham Forest back in my days on the council. The new Cllr, Andrew Hemsted, is a great young guy and a tireless campaigner. We spent a most productive morning on the trail last Saturday and things looked very positive. The result was:

Conservative (Andrew Hemsted) 1694
Lib Dem (Graham Woolnough) 1022
Labour (?) 208
UKIP (Bob Brock) 143

Labour's vote collapsed which does not bode well for them on Thursday.

We are already looking forward to the next local by election, which will take place in St Andrew's Ward, Havering.

Congratulations Andy!!

Capital Ring - Richmond to Greenford

I continued my circumnavigation of the city on Sunday with this relatively easy nine mile stretch. Perhaps the most unusual sight was the community of wild parakeets at Hanwell. Walking through woods surrounded by the exotic calls of these beautiful creatures, I could have been in the tropics.

Later I got put in my place when a bearded man, probably in his sixties, strode past. He asked where I was going.

'I'll probably stop at Greenford.' I responded with some pride.

'Oh, I'm going to Stoke Newington.' and he went on his way, which was more than three times the length of the walk I was doing...

British Association of Removers

When I was asked to address the BAR conference I thought it must have something to do with my legal past. Wrong - the British Association of Removers represents removal firms throughout Britain. I spoke to their annual meeting on Friday morning.

They wanted to know all about the Mayor's plans for a low emission zone and they were very concerned. Removal vans are only replaced after long intervals because their mileage is usually quite low. A new vehicle can cost as much as £110,000. The Mayor wants to charge older, more polluting, vehicles £200 per day to enter London. Fine for a large company with a national fleet to choose from but potentially catastrophic for smaller firms with a lot of business in the capital.

Of course a tax on business pretty soon becomes a tax on the customer, as the cost is passed on. Moving home in London is about to become even more expensive, as the Mayor takes a slice of stealth tax, on top of those imposed by Gordon Brown.

Barkingside 21

Interesting meeting last week, when I spoke at the AGM of Barkingside 21 and answered questions. I always enjoy doing this and there were some unusual questions, including one about my motivation to enter politics - which, perhaps surprisingly, I've never had before.

Barkingside 21 also have a blog at http://www.barkingside21.blogspot.com/ which should be of interest to residents of Redbridge. They come here quite often and it was one such visit that led to my invitation to speak.

See you again soon guys.

The Capital Ring

I just got back from a 13 mile walk! Today all eyes were on the marathon but I was completing the third stage of the Capital Ring, a 78 mile walk which circles London, starting and ending at Woolwich. Today's stretch was from Streatham Common to Richmond Bridge, a delightful walk, particularly the second half which crosses Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park. At times you could be out in the country, if you ignore the distant drone of traffic and the planes passing overhead.

The Capital Ring is signposted by TfL and there is a guidebook available, but not many people seem to know about it, which is a shame as it provides a good introduction to some of the further flung parts of London.

Off to soak my feet now...

Holding Back the Tide

Yesterday TfL announced that they were ceasing the tidal flow which has operated in the Blackwall Tunnel during the morning rush hour for the past 29 years. No consultation, no room for doubt - that's your lot! Widespread congestion is predicted south of the river as traffic backs up along the A2. In TfL's words:

Under normal circumstances,the traffic managers of the boroughs whose networks are more likely to be affected by this change in operation would have been issued a notification under the terms of the Traffic Management Act 2004. Such is the concern expressed by the Metropolitan Police however, that we are foregoing the process and taking action in as short a timescale as possible. Traffic modelling tends to demonstrate that traffic will dissipate and the effects will be minimised over a period of weeks. We will be reviewing modelling and operational experience, however, in order to optimise signal timings to reduce the impact of this measure.

So this will be a surprise to neighbouring boroughs.

Coincidentally, Greenwich Council recently carried out a public consultation on a road charging proposal for the area. Perhaps the Mayor has decided to create more congestion so that he can introduce a charge for it...

And this morning the BBC are reporting worse queues than usual south of the tunnel.

Hustings Alert

Havering Conservative Future have arranged a hustings for would be Conservative mayoral candidates. The good news is that 9 hopefuls have volunteered to attend and take questions from the audience - I will be chairing and keeping things under control.

The meeting takes place at 7.30pm on Friday 20th April, at St Michael's Church, Gidea Park. Tickets can be reserved by contacting Sarah Mackintosh at www.haveringcf.blogspot.com .

I'll Be Back....

It's been over a month, and I return to dust down the blog. Some of you have missed me - no reason but plenty of excuses:

1. My diary has been very busy.

2. I'm not comfortable with this new blogger format. In particular it has proved difficult to post comments. Why can't they leave things alone?

3. I got a new widescreen TV last month and I've been staring into that rather than the computer screen.

More later...

PQT After Action Report

Thank you to everyone who turned out at Tottenham last night. I will try to give more notice next time but even so, there was a group from Redbridge and several contingents from more distant boroughs, making up a good natured audience that refused to let the Mayor have it all his own way. several on the spot poles were taken and the rough results were:

80 / 20 Against arming all police officers
70 / 30 Predict that the Olympics will benefit London
60 / 40 In favour of free travel for Under 18s
45 / 55 Against a £15 environment tax on air tickets
25 / 75 Against Livingstone standing down after two terms (ho hum)

I also got the chance to set the record straight over the Freedom Pass, quoting a motion passed by the Assembly - cross party - in 2003, and proposed by Conservative members Andrew Pelling and Tony Arbour:

That this Assembly does not support the Government's Commission for Integrated Transport's recommendation that an end be made to the Pensioners' Freedom Pass.

Which I hope reassured some worried people and put that rumour to rest.

PQT Alert - 7th March

Yes - it's People's Question Time again, on Wednesday. Come along and meet the Mayor and assembly, and ask them difficult questions:

Wednesday 7th March, 7.00pm Tottenham Green Leisure Centre

Nearest station (tube and rail) Seven Sisters.

The last PQT at Bromley saw the Mayor on the defensive in front of a demanding audience, so the pressure is on. Tickets can be obtained from www.london.gov.uk, or email to peoplesquestions@london.gov.uk or telephone 020 7983 4762 to reserve a place.

I'm Going Places

According to yesterday's Standard, so it must be true:

Roger Evans, Tory transport spokesman doggedly questions the Mayor on plans for a Greenwich congestion charge, despite assurances that "there is no scheme".

But if there really are no plans why waste time on a survey of public opinion? And why were people given five different options for such a scheme but not a 'none of the above' option if the Mayor has an open mind? And why, if it is entirely a matter for Greenwich Council without TfL involvement, is the option of combining the Greenwich zone with the existing (extended) zone for payment purposes, being considered? And why isn't the consultation taking place over a wider area if the Blackwall Tunnel is to be affected?

So many questions - but no real answers last week....

The Londoner - March Edition

There was no February edition, but this month it's back with a vengeance. Headlines include:

Mayor Ken vows to fight London Assembly attacks on capital's free bus and tram travel (front page)

People say career opportunities are best thing about London

Join in London's St Patrick's Day celebration

Cheap fares and free tickets mean young people have a ticket to ride

London remembers the crimes of slavery

I'll protect free fares (Livingstone's column)

Train firms agree to Oyster pay as you go

Welcome spring celebrating Newroz in Shoreditch Park

Hundreds more officers will make stations safer

C-Charge extension starts: Bigger zone means less congestion and pollution in central and west London

London Olympics will be greenest in modern times

Arts centre that kick started stars careers faces closure

Londoners' confidence in Met grows as crime falls

London: World's favourite city (centre spread)

TfL have purchased the usual full page adverts on pgs 4, 16 and 20.

There is also a competition to win a trip to the World Athletics Championships in Osaka and a meal with Seb Coe...

Viva Castro!!

We get some interesting propositions. This from the City Hall in house newsletter, London@Work.

GLA UNISON and the Cuba Solidarity Campaign (CSC) are organising a free lunchtime film screening of two short films, On the Slopes of the Himalayas, and Let There Be Light, about the work done by Cuban medical teams around the world.

Representatives of CSC will be there to introduce the films and to give an update on the current situation in Cuba.

A Cuban lunch will be provided. All staff are welcome.

Hmm, I'll just have to check my diary...

The Clash of Civilisations

Is already costing us money:

Richard Barnes: Did the cost of the 'Clash of Civilisations' conference remain £156,000? If not, will the Mayor provide details of the under or over spend?

Ken Livingstone: Well over two thousand people attended the event and made their voice heard on this important issue for Londoners. A budget of £162,000 was allocated to this project and the estimated costs are £154,000.

So they made a 'saving'.

TfL Hit the Jackpot

And commuters pay...

Roger Evans: How much additional revenue does TfL expect to receive from this year's fare package?

Ken Livingstone: The fares revision is expected to raise an additional £57m pa on the bus network and Croydon Tramlink and £55m pa for the Underground, making £112m pa total.

'Revision' means 'increase' in the TfL dictionary.

Peace Comes at a Price

The answers are now available from the January Mayor's Question Time. Let's start with this from One London:

Damian Hockney: Could the Mayor tell us how much the December 13, 2006 Peace Reception in City Hall cost, how much did CND and the Stop The War Coalition contribute and how much was paid for by the GLA or the Mayor's Office?

Could the Mayor tell us how many people attended the December 13, 2006 Peace Reception at City Hall?

Ken Livingstone: The Peace Reception cost £5,637.10. All costs were paid for from the International Affairs team budget within the Mayor's Office. CND and Stop the War Coalition helped staff the event and provided other in kind support.

Around 200 people attended the reception.

So around £28 per attendee, funded by the council tax payer. And can anybody say what the 'in kind support' provided by CND and Stop The War amounted to?

The Greens Go Cheap

Unless you are paying council tax in London. At last week's budget setting meeting the Green Members invited the Assembly to note a paper which outlined the deal they had done with Livingstone to support his proposal to raise the council tax precept by 5.3%. This included an extra £47m to be spent on green initiatives - and no questions asked about the rest of the budget. Here is their letter to the Mayor, closing the deal.

Dear Ken,

Thank you for your detailed response to the budget priorities we have put forward.

We said that we needed to be satisfied that your budget for 2007 / 08 would set London on course to tackle climate change.

In the light of the funding package and other commitments proposed, we are satisfied that your budget and other associated plans (especially the Climate Change Action Plan) make up a serious framework to address climate change in London, and deserve our support.

This support for your draft budget 2007 / 08 is given on the clear understanding that it will not lead to an increase in the council tax precept of more than 29p a week for a band D tax payer.

We look forward to real progress over the next year and beyond in meeting the huge challenge posed by climate change, and the delivery of other important projects which will make London a safer and healthier city.

Yours Sincerely

Jenny Jones AM and Darren Johnson AM
Green Party Group in the London Assembly

Whether or not you view the spending as desirable, it is in addition to Livingstone's existing proposals, and raises the cost of London Government - now up by 147% since May 2000 -still further, and illustrates the cost disadvantages of coalitions created by proportional representation.