Archive for boris johnson
Even Boris Johnson is moved to criticise Brian Coleman’s latest expense claims
Even London Mayor Boris Johnson (a man not adverse to a generous claim or three for expenses) has been moved to criticise fellow Conservative Brian Coleman, whose latest expense claims for a London body attracted criticism a few days ago. Boris Johnson said, We have had a word with Brian and I think he understands [...]
The Yes2AV campaign has persuaded me to change my mind
I’ve long been sceptical about the scope for online fundraising in British politics. That’s partly because I’ve seen a sequence of American political consultants come to the UK, say they know much better than Brits, promise lots and then raise not very much – across the political spectrum. I’ve also seen a sequence of people [...]
Bad news if you are calling Transport for London
I’ve got fairly lukewarm views of Transport for London’s phone helplines, mainly due to my experience attempting to report graffiti on bus stop shelters. One of the things I’ve discovered along the way is that if I rang the phone number advertised on bus shelters to report graffiti, people at the other end would take [...]
Is the Met’s secret joker now penning words for Boris Johnson?
I only ask, because after the Met Police’s triumphant document that stated it would “Contribute to the step change in the walking experience”, we now have London Major Boris Johnson talking of “my role driving forward the Cyclin...
My letter in today's Times
Sir, I am surprised that Boris Johnson believes a strike ballot with less than 50 per cent turnout does not have enough legitimacy to count. After all, his own election was also based on a turnout of less than 50 per cent and he did not decline taking office or waive exercising any of his [...]
Fewer people, venue moved in-house yet costs go up: bravo, Boris
Adam Bienkov has the remarkable story of how Mayor of London Boris Johnson managed to up the costs of the annual ‘State of London’ debate despite cutting back its scope, moving it from an external venue to City Hall and having fewer people attend. One extra detail I’d add to what Adam has covered: looking [...]
Ward's Corner market saved
Excellent news that the popular Tottenham market at Ward’s Corner has been saved (despite Boris Johnson going back on his promise to help).
London congestion charge: 2 August deadline for consultation
Transport for London is running a consultation on Mayor of London Boris Johnson’s plans to axe the western extension to the congestion charge zone, increase the daily charge, change the exemptions and introduce a discount for automated payments.
At heart this is the sort of consultation which gives the word a bad name: the big political [...]
So, what is the Conservative Party strategy now?
In recent days we’ve had:
It’s not happening! It’s not happening!
Hence Eric Pickles telling the media the weekend that there was no Lib Dem surge detectable in the Conservative Party’s canvassing and Boris Johnson writing in the Telegraph that Nick Clegg was “by far the worst”. Yeah right.
Go right! Go right!
Hence William Hague warning of a [...]
Two Conservative problems: Iain Duncan Smith and Boris Johnson
There’s no doubt that many Tories are itching to shout “soft on criminals! soft on immigrants!” at the Liberal Democrats over the next few days.
One slight problem with the targets of choice: the Lib Dem policies on prison sentences and tackling the problem of illegal immigration. You see, those shouts of outrage should also be directed at [...]
