This is how one of my readers reached Tory Troll.
I'm still not convinced they weren't really looking for Boris Idol though.
Now that's a Saturday night TV show I'd stay in for...
Tuesday, 30 September 2008
Old hands push new backs as Boris takes the chair
Boris circled the room manfully shaking hands and patting backs. From the other side his Transport Director Kulveer Ranger did the same until the two silently crossed paths.
Halfway around the horseshoe and Boris Johnson stopped for a long chat with Steve Norris. Norris, who some say should be the man chairing the board, appeared to be cribbing up the new boss.
And with once Chairman Tim Parker burning magazines in Australia, and with his Deputy Chair absent as well, it was down to Boris alone to get proceedings underway.
But as he began his opening statement it was not board finances, but annoyed commuters who got in his way:
"Can't we get an agenda in advance?" shouted an elderly man from the audience.
Boris carried on.
"Can't you use a bit of reason man?"
Boris told him to write to him.
"I did write to you and I did not get an answer."
Boris stumbled on. The man's wife joined in the assault:
"I thought things would get better with you but they have got worse."
Boris called for security, but the couple refused to give up."I would like to suggest" continued the woman, "that you make Ken Livingstone the chairman instead."
Boris quickly adjourned the meeting.
But with his hecklers refusing to leave and with time ticking on, Boris stepped into the gallery for some direct diplomacy.
And with a promise that they could deliver a 'two sentence' presentation, the meeting began again.
But with normal proceedings in danger of getting going, it was Boris's tutor who brought them back to a halt.
"I can't see how it is going to take until 2015 to phase out all of the artics," put in Steve Norris. Boris looked on dumbfounded.
"That seems like an extraordinary length of time to me. I understand, in fact I know, that they could do it from tomorrow."
Hendy whittered something about not getting a 'bargain basement deal' but Norris was unconvinvced.
"I know that we could negotiate this with them sooner if we wanted... unless of course we don't want to do it at all."
Boris's smile had by now fixed into rigor mortis. This was not what he had expected from his old chum.
And with his eyes down, he listened as Hendy replied for him, before looking up and quickly adding:
"The important thing is that we get value for money"
Which it seemed was all that was needed to be said.
Boris Johnson to chair his first ever meeting of TfL
I'm off now to see Boris Johnson chair his first meeting of Transport for London. According to the Times, he no longer has a conference pass, so there's no reason why he shouldn't be at City Hall. But will he turn up?
Andrew Neil vs Boris Johnson on the Daily Politics
Andrew Neil continued his habit of making Boris Johnson feel uncomfortable yesterday with this cringe-worthy performance from the Mayor.
Boris has shied away from doing full-scale interviews recently. His only real interview since the summer exodus was that painfully fluffy love-in with Vanessa Feltz.
Thankfully that has come to an end now and Neil gets more out of Boris in just nine minutes than the rest of us have got out of him in three stage-managed half-hour press conferences.
This is well worth watching in full, but if you haven't got the time right now, then Mr. Stop Boris has an excellent summary over here.
Monday, 29 September 2008
Will the Tories really back more trains over planes?
An incoming Conservative government would scrap plans for a third runway at Heathrow and construct a high speed railway to the North.
The new line would run from St. Pancras to Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds and would cost taxpayers an estimated £15.6 billion over 12 years.
But with Boris Johnson backing a new £30 billion four-runway airport and with his u-turn on the expansion of City Airport complete, the number of flights coming out of London and the South East would still be likely to increase.
However, although the Thames Airport is still officially under consideration by the Mayor, Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers has now disassociated her party from the plan.
Speaking at conference, Villiers said that the Conservatives would not be 'actively' looking at the development, although she did not rule out similar developments elsewhere.
So while I welcome their backing for a new high speed rail link, it comes as ever, amidst a confusion of other policies which will greatly increase the use of cars and planes.
And with the economy so tight, there are also doubts about how feasible any new line will be. As top railway blog RailwayEye puts it this morning:
'with Treasury finances going west as yet another bank bites the dust... a new Government will be hard pressed to buy a cup of coffee let alone build a new railway.'
But if things do improve and the next government can afford that coffee, then will they spend the change on a brand new train line or on a brand new airport?
-UPDATE- Christian Wolmar thinks it's a scam
-UPDATE- Christian Wolmar thinks it's a scam
Andrew Gilligan: You heard it all there second
Hey Gilligan, I knew you were never very good at concealing your sources, but I would never have taken you for a plagiarist.
Sunday, 28 September 2008
Simon Milton, Dave Hill and John Ross on the BBC
The BBC's Politics Show has become the only programme on television with any half decent coverage from City Hall.
Today's edition has analysis of the Conservatives shaky relationship with Boris Johnson, a contribution from the Guardian's Dave Hill and interviews with Simon Milton and John Ross.
In his interview, Milton confirms that Boris will be bravely fighting crime by cutting the police budget, and vastly improving London's transport by cutting the transport budget.
These admissions did result in this story on the BBC's website.
However, I think it is fairly safe to assume that 'Crime-fighting Mayor cuts Crime-fighting budget' will not be gracing many of the newspapers tomorrow.
But if you would rather read about today's biggest news today, then you will need to head back over two months and take a look at this.
Tories favour Boris over Dave on eve of big speech
Boris Johnson is more popular than even David Cameron amongst Tory activists, a major survey revealed yesterday.
The survey conducted by ConservativeHome, gives Boris a net satisfaction rating of plus 86 per cent, a full three points ahead of his once boss David Cameron.
The result will further fuel the rivalry between the pair, on a day in which Boris Johnson makes his debut conference speech as Mayor.
Boris was originally pencilled in to appear as a 'warm-up' for David Cameron on Wednesday.
However, his slot has since been moved to today, so as to not overshadow the official star of the show.
In fact the Conservative leadership are said to be so worried by Boris, that there have even been suggestions of deactivating his conference pass straight after his speech.
But with Boris now willing to tell anyone who will listen, that he has his eye on Cameron's job, then it will take more than one humiliating curfew to keep Boris from the party in whose popularity he leads.
Friday, 26 September 2008
The British National Party writes off 'Red' Boris
The British National Party have abandoned their previous support for Boris Johnson after he told a Muslim newspaper that he is both learning Arabic and studying the Qur’an.
According to a report in this week's edition of The Muslim News:
"When Johnson found out about his Muslim ancestry, he feels that “with more understanding there would be less conflicts”.When he found out that his great grandfather knew the Qur’an by heart “I immediately bought the Qur’an and I have been learning Arabic. Actually it is not that difficult as the script. It has very simple alphabets.”He said he was making progress and to prove it, he recited the kalimah – La ilaha illa Allah. Muhammad Rasulullah (There is no deity except God. Muhammad is His Messenger)."
The BNP are predictably unimpressed:
"London mayor Boris Johnson has given a startling insight into his true political leanings and the shameless way he is prepared to sell out native Londoners to pander to the Islamic vote. His words will also be a stark reminder to those who still believe that David Cameron’s Conservatives intend to sort out the country’s problems.
"In a quite astounding interview, Johnson promised the Muslim News that he would carry on in the footsteps of his predecessor, Ken Livingstone, by supporting the myriad of diversity and equality projects foisted on Londoners by Red Ken."
As ever, the best fun is to be found in the comments:
Anthony Browne and Boris Johnson: A History
- Anthony Browne scaremongers about immigration and Islam.
- Boris Johnson writes that Islam is the Problem
- Boris is editor of contrarian right-wing magazine
- Browne is Director of think tank using black propoganda
- Boris faces a tricky crowd - makes a surprise backing of amnesty for illegal immigrants
- Browne hired by Boris Johnson and endorsed by BNP
- Boris sent on mission to ease fears of Muslim voters
- Browne sent to make surprise backing of immigrant amnesty
Thursday, 25 September 2008
Boris Johnson: Cost Cutter or a False Economist?
Over at MayorWatch, ex-assembly member Damien Hockney has rightly expressed concern about the redundancy of Director of Corporate Services Janet Worth from City Hall.
Janet was by all reports a highly respected administrator who was ready to take on both the old and the new administration when it was necessary.
Her departure has therefore caused much surprise and consternation within City Hall.
However, what is more worrying, is the widespread perception that Boris has prioritised cost-cutting above all other considerations.
Hockney, who is a member of the Taxpayers Alliance and a long time small government man, believes that Boris is making short term cuts at the expense of longer term value for money:
"A remark the new Mayor made about wanting a lean mean machine to run London should receive the support of all. But squeezing local government of good people and treating those who remain like a second class state in the name of savings is false economy and is the type of thing that brings the concept of value for money into disrepute."
Hockney quotes a senior official within City Hall as saying:
“Staff and elected members are shocked at Janet’s early retirement and many are concerned that she will not be there to work with them through a time of change and uncertainty for hundreds of staff who have always turned to her as the steady, calm leader. What does it say to other female managers - if someone as outstanding as Janet is forced to leave why would they want to stay.”
Of course the loss of one official is not cause for concern of itself, but when it comes amidst the loss of other highly experienced staff, and amidst the appointment of staff members who have nowhere near that level of experience, then alarm bells should start to ring.
False Economies
The restructuring of the Mayor's office, highlighted here earlier this week, now seems a clear sign of things to come.
For a demonstration of this, take a look at this table taken from the Mayor's leaked reorganisation plans:
The first figure which jumps out at you is obviously the total savings of £847,000 a year.
However, if you look again, you see that what has happened is the replacement of higher grade officials, with lower grade alternatives.
Now you can argue that this may have been necessary, and like Hockney, I am not against job cuts per se.
But when you are bringing in a new Mayor and new appointments, some of whom have little or no local government experience, then you should always be cautious about losing those very people who actually do have the experience that's required.
As Hockney points out, this isn't an argument about big-spending vs small-spending, but an argument about how you get the value out of the money that you do spend.
And by giving so much focus and publicity to his short-term cuts, is Boris merely saving up longer-term problems for himself and his team at City Hall?
David Cameron looks to 'work with the boroughs'
Local authorities would be given 'massive' powers over policing, health and skills spending, under proposals drawn up by a Conservative policy group.
The group which includes Boris Johnson's 'chief of staff' Sir Simon Milton, recommends devolving more powers to borough and district councils as well as creating more regional elected mayors.
David Cameron is expected to announce soon which of these policies he will pursue, but he will almost certainly propose further devolution of powers to individual authorities.
Milton's proposals will please those Conservative London Assembly members such as Tony Arbour, who have relentlessly lobbied for more powers to be taken away from City Hall.
However, paradoxically the move to establish more elected mayors, may well take powers away from other local authorities elsewhere.
The proposals have not been released in full but they are said to include the now obligatory call to cut back on regulation with:
"councils judged against locally set targets drawn up in conjunction with local businesses and other parties."
Which if I was to be cynical (and I will) translates as:
"councils judge their own low performance against their own low targets drawn up after discussing them with their low business mates."
Because the problem with the relentless drive to 'localism' is that those decisions which would otherwise be taken and scrutinised at a national or regional level, are pushed off to a place where they receive little or no press attention or opposition whatsoever.
And while all the eyes are forever on the national government's every move, at a local level, corruption can often take a grip without even so much as a whisper.
Of course, the standard calls to 'give away more powers' and to 'extend democracy' always goes down well.
But when those powers are being given away at precisely the time when whole swathes of the country are losing all press scrutiny, then it is not something that should be allowed to pass without question.
Wednesday, 24 September 2008
Boris Johnson advisor calls Thames airport madness
A man charged with advising Boris Johnson on 'retaining London's status as one of the world's leading cities' has dismissed the plan to build a Thames Estuary airport as 'madness'.
The Chief Executive of upgrade-denying British Airways and member of Boris's Business Advisory Council Willie Walsh said today:
"The idea of Boris Island is madness.""It's not going to work. It's a distraction to a tough decision that has to be made in relation to Heathrow airport.''
Walsh said that while he had voted for Boris to be Mayor, his idea of building an airport in the Thames Estuary would be prohibitively expensive.
The BA chief's dismissal of the Thames airport plan follows another unequivocal rejection by the leader of Kent County Council yesterday.
It also follows a full scale u-turn by Boris, in which his spokesman admitted that he would no longer consider closing Heathrow airport, just twenty four hours after saying that he would.
So with Boris's deputy saying one thing, his advisor saying another, and his press operation left desperately spinning in the middle, it is about time we found out exactly where Boris stands.
Because while I understand there will be a study and a consultation and a discussion with stakeholders, and a cup of tea with council leaders, what I don't understand is what Boris believes himself.
And while it's all very well hiring an ever-growing legion of ever-disagreeing advisors, deputies, commissioners, directors and boards, at some point Londoners are going to want to hear from the Mayor himself.
Anthony Browne spouts latest broken society piffle
If you want a sense of what the next Conservative government will sound like then read the latest report from Boris Johnson's new Policy Director and Policy Exchange wonk Anthony Browne.
The report entitled 'Has there been a decline in values in British society?' (you can guess the answer) is part of the Joseph Roundtree Foundation's 'social evils series', in which leading think tank wonks dissect our impending social doom.
Browne runs through all the usual nu-con talking points from multiculturalism and moral relativism (bad) to the benefits culture and 'human rights' (note the obligatory quotation marks) - also bad.
Disease-spreading immigrants and muslims are given a wide steer this time, but that aside, this is pretty standard fare from the man soon to be thrust upon London town.
However, what is striking to me in this report is the complete lack of answers given to any of the problems that he outlines.
We learn that society is broken, ipods are symptomatic of our social alienation, families are increasingly messed up, the poor are increasingly dependent, 'human rights' make us irresponsible, benefits make us lazy, Nick Cohen is on the good side, the rest of the left are on the bad side, etcetera, et-bloody-cetra.
But when it comes to solutions, Browne's hand comes up empty. I will quote you Browne's conclusion in full to show you what I mean:
What can be done?"Policy-makers are left wondering what can be done about all this. The first challenge is to be really clear about what changes have been for the good and what for the bad. The legalisation of homosexuality was a definite improvement, as was the decline on the taboo in pre-marital sex."There are many other things we wouldn’t want to change because the benefits they bring are so large. We don’t want to uninvent female emancipation, even if the earlier lack of freedom of women meant fewer families broke up. We can’t uninvent television. Even where there is widespread agreement that we should tackle some aspect of decline, government has been notably ineffective in making much difference.
"In Britain in 2008, we have tried a decade of passing ever more draconian laws to curb behaviour such as binge drinking, but it has just got worse. It is clear that where there has been moral decline it is usually pretty unresponsive to legislation. Behaviour change can be powerfully affected by a change in culture, but a change in culture is notoriously difficult to achieve.
"For half a century we’ve had a value system that declared that the state knew best, and had the right to intervene in the most private part of people’s lives. That, hopefully, is now on the wane. There are many things we can do, not least start talking about it."Politicians can use their pulpit to bring to national attention some of the issues that we face as a nation. We can shift legislation, to put more emphasis on responsibilities rather than rights (such as the responsibility to do community work if you want to receive unemployment benefit). But there is no magic bullet. We should be concerned, but not despair. We have an open society that talks about and confronts its problems in a generally honest manner, which is the first step to making things better.
"There have been improvements but also unprecedented, unsettling declines in values in our own lifespan. Each age has been concerned about moral decline. Ours is no exception –although a lot of what is happening to society now is exceptional."
And that's it. That's all we're getting. Society is on the decline. Laws don't work. Human rights don't work. Nothing works.
So what's your solution Anthony? You actually are a policy maker now. You've got the big job.
In less than two years you may even have a seat in Number 10. In less than two years it could be you calling the shots in Broken Britain.
It could be you Anthony. In fact it is you right now. We're all looking to you Anthony. What have you got Anthony? We're waiting for you. What have you got?
You can watch Boris's new Policy Director talk about Broken Britain at 18.00 this evening at the RSA or listen live on their website.
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
Boris Johnson endures the Vanessa Feltz treatment
After declaring a new found love for the BBC, Boris joined Vanessa Feltz this morning for her London breakfast radio show.
If you have a spare hour of your life to waste then you can listen as Vanessa quotes his Telegraph column in full before feathering him with possibly the easiest set of questions he is ever likely to face.
You can listen too as he dusts callers to the station off with with his patronising manner easy charm.
Vanessa ends the session by asking why he has taken so long to come in to her show.
But if today's love-in was anything to go by, then I think Vanessa will be seeing plenty more of her mayor.
Kent and Essex abandon Boris Johnson to his Island
Boris Johnson's reverse ferret hasn't reached media land just yet. BBC London's chief reporter is in Manchester and the Standard are still investigating Ken Livingstone (investigation due to end 2013).
Meanwhile Boris is doing his best to distract us and Kit Malthouse has gone mercifully quiet.
But with the news still clogged up somewhere under Tower Bridge, politicians in Kent and Essex have been desperately trying to raise the Thames Barrier in advance.
Kent County Council yesterday held an emergency meeting on the crisis, after which its Leader Paul Carter told the BBC:
"I'm not best pleased. I said this morning that all administrations have big ideas, and I think this is a big bad idea. It's a totally unsuitable place for an airport. When you think about the winter weather we have in the Thames Estuary - lots of mist and fog."
Meanwhile over the water in Essex, Southend Council Leader Nigel Holdcroft told the Echo:
"I personally think it is really a non-starter simply because of the massive costs involved."
Not to be outdone Boris Johnson's spokesman also graced them with a quote:
"The mayor wants to undertake a study to establish the feasibility of the idea once and for all and is examining the best way to take the study forward.”
Oh well I guess we're stuck with that study now. I wonder how long it will take for them to find out 'once and for all' that it's never going to happen.
Monday, 22 September 2008
Boris paddles away from Malthouse International
Boris Johnson paddled away from his plan to move Heathrow to the Thames Estuary this evening, saying that any new airport would only come 'in addition' to those that already exist.
The Mayor also told the BBC that he was examining a range of solutions and that 'Boris Island' was just one option under consideration.
He suggested that he was now considering expanding existing airports instead.
In fact after twenty four hours of ridicule and disbelief, the Mayor appears to have gone cold on Malthouse's dream and looks set to make yet another mid-air u-turn.
Loop-the-Loop
During the election campaign Boris told supporters that he would neither back expansion of City Airport nor the construction of a new airport in the Thames Gateway.
But after u-turning on both of these pledges, he now looks set to u-turn once again, and this time with decreasingly amusing results.
Boris Johnson to overhaul eighth floor of City Hall
As Boris and Kit return from their ill-fated intervention into the geopolitics of Kent, political life back in City Hall is being quietly overhauled.
Starting from today, the Mayors' office will be completely restructured with 36 posts deleted and thirteen new posts created.
A leaked document drawn up by the Interim Head of Paid Service Jeff Jacobs suggests that the restructuring will save £835,000 a year.
The posts set to go are as follows:
However, with some of these posts already unfilled and with some new posts appearing to be adapted versions of deleted ones, it is unclear just what the saving will be in real terms.
Unsettled pay awards and the continuing cost of the transition will also confuse the sums.
But that aside, there are further questions about how the new team will operate, and to what extent Sir Simon Milton has overplayed his role within City Hall.
Chief of Stuff
Under the new structure (outlined above) Milton will only have direct line management over a private secretary who in turn will manage individual advisors.
These advisors will then be appointed to individual policy directors such as Ranger and Mirza and to the Deputy Mayors such as Malthouse and Barnes.
But with no direct line management from the self-declared 'Chief of Staff' to those holding individual portfolios, there is a risk that the rivalry and infighting that we have seen so far will continue.
Boris Island: the morning after the flight before
After emerging from the blue skies of Sunday, Boris Johnson's plan to move Heathrow to the Thames Gateway has come crashing through the grey clouds of Monday.
The Financial Times reports that Virgin Airways are less than impressed and The Telegraph says that British Airways are flat out opposed.
Peter McKay at the Mail thinks it is a distraction, and the Evening Standard think it is unrealistic.
Even Boris's Deputy for Spin, who for eight long paragraphs tells us all how wonderful it would be, then at the last reluctantly admits that it will never happen.
Meanwhile the Mail reports the airport would cost £30 billion, while the Standard reports it would cost the capital 77,000 jobs.
But with Boris's feasibility study already ahead, and with mixed messages continuing to emerge from the Tories on Heathrow, just what will be the end result of Boris's expansion into international aviation?
Fantasy Island?
Well as Tom from Boris Watch points out, building a major airport in Kent would be controversial and costly but is still clearly a possibility (although an unwise one).
And with Boris's u-turn on City Airport, there are obviously other alternatives to further expansion at Heathrow.
But with Terminal Five only just open, and with huge investment already sunk into the area, it seems fantastical that any government bar a Boris Johnson one would do anything but keep Heathrow where it is.
Saturday, 20 September 2008
Kit Malthouse to move Heathrow to 'Boris Island'
Boris Johnson's Deputy is planning to close Heathrow airport and move it to an island in the Thames Estuary.
The project to shift voter-bothering flights out of London, has already been nicknamed 'Boris Island' by the Times, and will be led by one-time failed airline hopeful Kit Malthouse.
Malthouse, whose dream of a budget domestic airline crashed before take-off, believes his new dream will be a winner:
“I think it’s madness to expand any of the other airports when there is an obvious solution elsewhere.
“We’re not proposing to switch the lights on at the new airport and switch the lights off at Heathrow, firing everyone overnight. This would be a phasing from one airport to the other. Over the space of three or four years, those [workers] that wanted to, could migrate.”
The new island would be built from landfill alongside the Isle of Sheppey in Kent and passengers would be connected to the mainland by train and ferry. According to the Times:
"Aircraft would descend over the North Sea instead of disturbing residential areas in the approach to Heathrow.
“You would have no problems with expansion or noise,” said Malthouse. “You could run a 24-hour airport.”
Now quite whether the people of Sheppey and Kent would see 'no problems' with the expansion and noise remains to be seen, but the project would certainly have to overcome many other difficulties.
Not least of these is the technical difficulties in moving Britain's largest airport onto an island in the Thames.
Island airports have been built successfully in the past, most notably in Hong Kong. However, the process is not straightforward.
Kansai International Airport for instance, became one of the most expensive civil projects in history after the island it was built upon sank over eleven metres into Osaka Bay.
Pipe Dreams
Maltouse's vision of outsourcing Heathrow was first revealed in The Times a year ago, but has so far got little further than:
Now whether this latest dream will be any more successful depends largely on the bargaining power of his boss Boris Johnson.
But with all other unfunded transport projects officially put on ice, it will take more than a Malthouse vision to make 'Boris island' rise from the waves.
-UPDATE- Boris Island: the morning after
Friday, 19 September 2008
Andrew Gilligan urges Boris to break his promises
The Evening Standard's serialisation of the Gilligan Doomsday Prophecies has continued, with a call for Boris to sacrifice all spending commitments, to the coming FINANCIAL APOCALYPSE.
With all the electoral nouse that has so far kept him out of politics, Andrew Gilligan declares:
"What hasn't yet been widely understood — not least by the politicians themselves — is that in this new world, many of the cornerstone assumptions that have governed London politics for years are going to be destroyed. Huge numbers of things London's rulers have been talking about as recently as the May election are either at serious risk, or are effectively already dead."
Oh really. So what will be the first to get the chop Mr. Gilligan?
"At the election, one live issue was the best way to get developers to build affordable housing. Ken famously promised all new developments would be 50 per cent affordable. Boris rejected quotas but still promised to deliver 50,000 new affordable homes in his first term."That argument, and both those policies, are now as quaint and irrelevant as the debate about Irish home rule in 1912. Some new homes, started during the boom, are still in the pipeline — but nobody will be building any more, affordable or otherwise, for quite a while. Several developers are on the verge of bankruptcy."
Okay so there will be no more new homes. What else Gilly?
"Tall buildings is another one of those live issues which might be about to die. There is already a glut of office space. Whatever your views for or against, whatever the mayor decides, it seems highly unlikely that many tall towers will ever get off the ground."
Now quite why you would want to get a multi-storey office block 'off the ground' is anyones guess. But if Boris had indeed promised that and I somehow missed it, then I must agree with Andrew wholeheartedly.
Of course there are some things that Boris can't scrap. His anti-crime measures for instance. No?
"violent crime, may become less of a concern. Recessions usually reduce crimes against people and increase crimes against property. Because property crime is common and violent crime is comparatively rare, however, that could also halt or reverse the recent reductions in crime."
Right, so as we get poorer we will have less fear of violent crime. Now remind me where are the most violent parts of the capital again Andrew?
"So what should the new times mean for Boris? Obviously, it adds urgency to his so far unconvincing effort to slim down TfL and the rest of the “GLA family”. I've sometimes been accused of favouring cuts for their own sake: actually, I favour cuts in unnecessary vanity projects to ensure that we do not have to cut the things that matter, such as bus and Tube services."
Ah yes. Unnecessary vanity projects. Care to remind us of any Andrew? Care to think of any vanity projects that would come at vast expense and with little justification? Care to think of any doomed pet projects that you have personally pushed for against all expert advice?
No? Somehow I didn't think that you would.
Thursday, 18 September 2008
Why Boris Johnson joined the reds under the bed
Dave Hill has posted the latest rather brilliant missive from the anonymous sleeper cell of Kennites, currently barricaded behind a water cooler, on the upper levels of City Hall.
As a fellow correspondent with elements of this cell, I can confirm that they do indeed have a terrible and secret mission, and it is this: the total and systematic indoctrination of their new boss.
Andrew Gilligan is of course unimpressed:
"four months in, marvels one senior TfL figure, “Boris's arrival has made no difference whatever. It's all going on exactly as before.” No programmes have (yet) been cancelled. No personnel changes have been made. Indeed, one senior TfL person has just been appointed, of all things, Boris's environmental adviser.
"Less than a year ago, as further leaked emails show, Mr Hendy was secretly plotting with Ken's chief of staff to “refute Boris's transport ideas”. Now, in a truly gymnastic feat of brown-nosing, he has apparently persuaded the new Mayor that his sole purpose in life is to implement those very same ideas.
"It's surprising that someone as bright as Boris can fall for this obvious nonsense. What it probably means is not that TfL will end up working for Boris — but that Boris will end up working for TfL."
Of course it all started off very well for Mission Gilligan. Many of his Policy Exchange colleagues (himself aside) got jobs and the appointments of Tim Parker and Patience Wheatcroft looked set to propel London to the bright sunny uplands of Ken eradication.
But with the complete debaathification of London almost in sight, Mission Gilligan went and axed itself.
First we had the flop which was the FAP report and then we had the steady exodus of failed Policy Exchange and CCHQ place men, culminating in the complete discrediting of those very people who had been sent in to organise Boris's every move.
And with their fall from grace complete, Boris instead fell upon exactly those people who had been running the show for years.
And as the old borough boys moved in to clean up the mess, we are left with an administration not radically different from the one that Ken left behind.
Of course there will still be many controversies and bungles ahead.
But if Boris wants to make a success of his Mayoralty (and he clearly does) then he can only do so by taking the kinds of practical steps that only those people who have run London for the past decade and beyond know how to take.
And if that means listening less to Gilligoon and his pals, and more to the reds under the bed, then that is precisely what he will do.
Nick Clegg promises Britain 'human shaped' policies
This is how I felt watching Nick Clegg's conference speech yesterday.
Video by Beau Bo D'or
Wednesday, 17 September 2008
Boris Johnson at Mayor's Question Time 10/09/08
Just in case you were one of the few not to crowd round your television for Boris's monthly sermon, I have decided to give you another chance.
For some reason best known to themselves, the BBC take these down after a week, after which you can only watch them on the postage stamp sized screen of the Mayor's website.
Highlights of this session include a row between Jenette Arnold and Brian Coleman near the beginning and Boris Johnson's slapdown of Richard Barnbrook at about 2 hours and 16 minutes.
It's thrill a minute stuff this Londoners. Watch in awe.
Tuesday, 16 September 2008
Boris Johnson - decisively indecisive
I'm not saying Boris can't keep his word but...
- Mayor for War becomes Mayor for Peace
- Plinth hero knocked off his perch
- Doubled bus fares become doubled over
- No airport expansion turned mid air
- Scrap the extension pledge scrapped
- No Kent Airport unless there is
- Immigrant amnesty handed over
- Smoking referendums go up in smoke
Do you think I've missed any? More in the comments.
Boris has an 'extraordinary revolutionary moment'
Muesli-eating, sandal-wearing, fringe-growing hippy Boris Johnson will rejoin 'Mayors for Peace' just months after pulling out of the group.
The original decision was one of those red slaying, Gilligan appeasing, Barnbrook pleasing, gesture policies that so annoyed us at the beginning of Boris's term
But with no positive press coverage from the move, and with the CND condemning him as 'A Mayor for War,' Boris perhaps decided that he had gone a bit too far.
Writing in response to a question from Joanne McCartney, Boris declares:
"I have reviewed my initial decision and decided that London will remain a member of Mayors of Peace."Membership of Mayors for Peace does not involve any significant use of GLA resources. I agree with the principles of Mayors for Peace, which deplore acts of violence and that cities should be spared the scourge of war. In this context, I consider my continuing involvement with the network to be efficient, reasonable and a good thing for Londoners."
Monday, 15 September 2008
Boris Johnson's team: ever so quietly expensive
Over at the Guardian, Dave Hill answers the question on everybody's lips, which is whatever has happened to Munira Mirza?
Boris Johnson's cultural Director, has been rather quiet of late, ever since she told us how to 'do anti-racism for real'.
Mirza's approach to 'doing it for real' was apparently to stop doing it at all, and you would be forgiven for thinking that this was her approach to the rest of her job.
But according to Dave, Mirza has in fact been hard at work. We just hadn't noticed it yet:
"She does still have a job and is, I'm told, working very hard at it in a mostly low profile way. She was at the launch of the Thames Festival alongside The Blond and attended the event itself. She also attended Simcha and said a few words to those in attendance. What else can I tell you?"
What else indeed. But if Mirza is 'low profile' then what does that make his new Director of Marketing Dan Ritterband?
Ritterband who was not formerly known for his demure nature, was given a six figure salary at City Hall earlier this year but not deemed worth even so much as a press release.
So while his unpaid 'food champion' Rosie Boycott and his unpaid 'sports commisioner' Kate Hoey, got the full fanfare, one of the Mayor's most senior and high-paying appointments was ushered through the door without so much as a squeak.
Now why ever could that have been?
Could it be perhaps that championing food is just that little bit more appealing to voters than that more expensive business of championing yourself.
Who knows? But whatever the reason, let's take a look at what he has to show for his two months in the job?
Freewheeling
Well without any official updates I can only go by his recent efforts to secure sponsorship for the Freewheel cycling event.
The event, which had been intended to attract 100,000 people has been scaled back to 45,000. And the reason for the change? Tory thrift? Elf and safety? Afraid not. No the real reason was insufficient sponsorship.
Of course whereas under communist era Ken, the dangerous lefty cabal secured £300,000 from capitalist overlords Hovis - under Ritterband, the true blues secured just £100,000 from Sky Sports.
And while other sponsors could potentially been brought in to fill the gap, under Ritterband, the deal came with free-market bunking exclusivity.
So with loss of sponsorship threatening to close the curtain on other events, and with consultant costs still riding high, just what kind of value are we still to expect from our 'bang for your buck' Mayor.
Friday, 12 September 2008
Will Boris Johnson defy the Tories on C-Charge?
The Conservative members of the London Assembly have all signed a letter urging Boris Johnson to scrap the Western congestion charge.
Yet the letter comes in advance of the result of a public consultation and after Boris made it clear that he no longer favours a complete rollback of the scheme.
So if as expected the consultation produces a mixed response from West London residents, will Boris openly defy each and every one of his Conservative representatives?
The congestion charge has been consistently opposed by the Conservative Assembly members, and Boris had previously stated that he was opposed to the Western extension.
But with the realities of his statutory environmental responsibilities and with the threat of huge EU fines for air pollution on the horizon, the fact is that Boris may be forced to openly defy his own side.
Of course Boris can afford to offend the Tory Assembly members. And an adapted charge would help appease at least some of those who are now opposed.
But with his election partly dependant on a promise to scrap the extension, would there be more than just a few politicians who would feel betrayed by a retreat?
Thursday, 11 September 2008
Will Boris Johnson decide to lose Kulveer Ranger?
Senior figures in Boris Johnson's administration believe that Kulveer Ranger should be removed from his position as Director for Transport Policy.
Ranger is seen by some in the Mayor's team as 'over-promoted' and incapable of pushing through the policies promised in the manifesto.
But with the resignations of three of the Mayor's other advisors still fresh in the memory, some believe that it would be just too damaging for anyone else to be forced from their job.
When Ranger was first appointed, it was widely reported that he had been in charge of implementing the Oyster card.
But with that claim now discredited, some members of the Mayor's senior team believe that Kulveer is simply not up to the job.
Of course today's revelation is likely to be denied by the Mayor and may only serve to strengthen Kulveer's position at City Hall.
And if he really is up to the job as his allies insist, then he should not allow his colleagues to plot against him any further.
But with other GLA jobs currently under threat, and with transport policy having such a big effect on our daily lives, it is hugely important that the Mayor should be seen to have confidence in his man.
Tuesday, 9 September 2008
Andrew Gilligan source challenges Boris for Mayor
One of Andrew Gilligan's main sources for his stories on Ken Livingstone has announced his intention to stand for the Mayor of London.
A man of clear and obvious political principle, Atma Singh has called on the leaders of all three main political parties to select him as their candidate. He declares on his campaign website:
"I will write before the New Year to the Labour Party Leader, Gordon Brown MP and Prime Minister. I am still a Labour Party member, despite the fact that I have lost confidence in the London Labour Party leaders specifically Ken Livingstone, the former Mayor of London and my former boss and Len Duvall, former chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority and chair of the Greater London Labour Party whose criminal conviction I exposed when he was chair of the Metropolitan Police Force and it being kept secret."I will also write a letter in the next year to the of the Liberal Democrat Party Nick Clegg MP asking him to support my candidacy upon a basis of advancing progressive politics in London and common views on many issues."I will also write a letter in the next year to David Cameron MP, Leader of the Conservative Party to emphasise that I think his abilities and ideas make him fit to be a good centre ground Prime Minister of the UK and why I would work positively with him, if he were to be elected as Prime Minister and I were to be elected as Mayor of London."
He does not state whether he will also send an application to the Greens, UKIP and the Christian Choice, but at this stage we should rule nothing out.
However, although Atma's campaign has not sent the shock waves through the political establishment that he had perhaps hoped, it did garner at least one article in the online version of the Sikh Times.
And with his claims to have 'did a lot, achieved a lot and I gave a lot' we can only expect for there to be better things from him to come.
Kulveer Ranger invented Oyster claims Standard
The Evening Standard took the imaginative leaps with Kulveer Ranger's CV to an even higher level today by claiming that he had 'virtually' invented the Oyster Card.
Boris Johnson's transport director, who is today tipped by the Tatler as a future Conservative Transport Secretary, was in fact merely a management consultant involved in the implementation team.
The extent of Kulveer's qualifications, which have been widely mis-reported in the press, were inflated even further today by the claim that he was:
"Headhunted by the Mayor after virtually inventing the Oyster card."
Now Ranger (top right) was involved in bringing in the Oyster card it's true, but by no means did he 'invent' it, 'virtually' or otherwise.
Of course there may be some other virtual world (like that of Boris's press releases) where Kulveer played a much bigger role, but in this real world he did not.
-Update 16:20- It has been pointed out to me that in the print edition of today's Evening Standard, Ranger is only referred to as having been "Headhunted by the Mayor after his involvement with the Oyster card." The 'invention' it seems, was only virtual.
-Update 16:28- Now also amended online. My work here is done.
Monday, 8 September 2008
Sir Simon Milton tells Boris Johnson who's the boss
Boris Johnson's new Deputy Mayor Sir Simon Milton has officially declared himself the new 'chief of staff' at City Hall.
In a rather self-congratulatory interview with the Evening Standard, Milton boasts of his supremacy over the other deputies and of his surprise to find that Boris is intelligent.
Milton tells the Standard:
“I don't like the title first deputy mayor but ultimately because of my experience and my co‑ordination role, I am closer to the centre than the other deputy mayors who have very tightly defined subject responsibilities.
"Although my job title is deputy mayor policy and planning, in reality I'm Chief of Staff.”
Oh well don't worry Simon. Just go ahead and change your job title. It's not as if anyone's going to stop you.
Physically, too, Sir Simon has placed himself at the epicentre of operations: he sits at a desk directly outside Boris's office overlooking Tower Bridge on the eighth floor.
The other three deputy mayors, Richard Barnes, Ian Clement, and Kit Malthouse, in charge of communities, Government relations and policing respectively, have offices on the other side of the building.
As well as having a dig at Tim Parker, criticising the chaos that ensued before he came to save the day and playing down the influence of Boris's new chief policy advisor, Milton also damns his own boss with the faintest possible of praise.
Just take a look at this section of the interview:
Ironically Sir Simon was one of those who regarded Boris as an amusing, lovable rogue but not to be trusted with a serious job like running London. Did he underestimate Boris? “Yes, I think that everybody does. He's an extremely quick study. When you work with him, you realise he's intelligent, passionate and motivated by noble instincts."
Whereas otherwise you'd consider him an ignorant lazy opportunist. And then this section:
“Boris is the sort of person who comes into work in the morning and gives you the 10 ideas he's had while he's cycled in. My job is to translate them into action.”
So who exactly is the advisor and who is the boss here? And when is the teacher going to hand over to the 'quick study'?
It's said that Boris hopes to one day lead the Tory party: in the event of a leadership challenge, would he support Cameron or Johnson?
Sir Simon laughs. “I am a big fan of David Cameron,” he says. “I could never envisage Boris challenging him but anyway, nobody is going to ask him to do that job unless he gets this one right. And that's where I come in.
Well that's you told then Boris. Now off to the back of the class with you.
Friday, 5 September 2008
The Guardian launch Dave Hill's new London Blog
The Guardian have had the best London coverage out of all the National newspapers for some time now and that looks to be stepping up with the launch of Dave Hill's new London Blog.
Dave has been blogging over at London: Mayor and More since the start of the year, and has become the first stop for most journalists and bloggers following London politics.
He's winding that one up now, but fortunately it looks like he will be carrying on where he left off at his new home.
So if you're a regular reader or if you haven't come across Dave yet, then it's time to redirect your browsers to his new full time blog at the Guardian website.
How did Anthony Browne get the keys to City Hall?
Boris Johnson did not even formally meet with his new Policy Director Anthony Browne before handing him a six figure salary position at City Hall.
Documents released to the London Assembly today reveal that the director of Policy Exchange, had just one 'telephone interview' with the mayor before landing the role.
In a letter sent to the london Assembly Chair Jennette Arnold, Boris states that:
"there was no requirement to appoint on merit. I did however review his CV and conducted a telephone interview with him (as he was out of the country at the time) to satisfy myself of his competency for the role."
Browne was officially appointed on the 21 July but has not yet started work at City Hall. He will receive a salary of £124,364 which is exactly the same as the Deputy Mayors.
However, unlike the remaining Deputy Mayors there was no formal recruitment process or interview panel and there will be no formal evaluation of his salary. According to Boris:
"The Policy Director (political advisor) post is generic and it is not therefore possible to evaluate this post formally. However, I am content that the requirements of the role make it commensurate with the other Deputy Mayor posts and therefore content that it should be renumerated accordingly."
Quite how 'generic' Browne's role in City Hall will be is not yet clear.
But after the forced departure of three of his previous advisors, Boris will be hoping to prevent as much controversy with this one as he can.
Thursday, 4 September 2008
Brian Coleman is a Prat says Olympic Gold Medalist
Double Olympic gold winning cyclist Bradley Wiggins has branded multi-gaffe enducing Brian Coleman a 'prat', after he accused Olympians of having the 'blood of Tibetans' on their hands.
Wiggins is just one of three British Olympic sportsmen who have spoken out against Coleman's 'offensive' article written for his local paper last week.
Wiggins told the Hampstead and Highgate Express:
"He's a prat and you can quote me on that. I agree with what he says about the soldiers in Iraq but the rest of it is drivel.
"Since the Olympics things have been really positive and the country has been on a high. But there's always someone who's got something negative to say. He's a prawn sandwich eater in a suit."
Prawn sandwich allegations aside, Wiggins seems to have easily got the measure of the man:
"He's there with his government salary, putting in his expense forms and just coming out with things like that for the sake of having something to say."
What other transport cuts will Boris Johnson make?
This week Boris Johnson launched a consultation on the western extension of the congestion charge, saying that he would show 'the utmost respect for the opinions of Londoners.'
But with signs today that he will ignore the result of a separate consultation on the Cross River Tram, just how much respect does Boris really have for the views of you and me?
Of course Boris had already hinted that there will be some "tough choices" about previously planned transport projects.
He has also promised to make "big efficiencies" at TfL.
But at today's Budget and Performance Committee, Boris made it pretty clear which project would be the most likely to go.
Speaking in response to a question from Brian Coleman, Boris admitted that:
"I am not intending to spend a lot more money on the Cross River Tram."
The project which has already been approved by a public consultation, would serve some of the busiest and most deprived parts of London (see image above).
But if Boris is unwilling to respect the opinions of these Londoners, why exactly should we expect him to respect the opinions of Londoners further West?
Half price fares restart as overall travel fares rise
Boris Johnson has reversed his decision to scrap half-price bus and tram fares for people on income support, it was revealed today.
The welcome u-turn was announced alongside an unwelcome 11% increase to single Oyster bus fares and a 10% increase to flat tube fares for children aged 11-15.
Speaking to the Budget and Performance Committee Boris Johnson said that he had decided to restart half price fares, but would fund them through the TfL's existing budget.
The new fares will begin in January, meaning that those people who reapplied for the discount before the August deadline will not suffer any additional financial loss above the announced increases.
However, it was not made clear whether those people on income support who do not regularly read Boris Johnson's press releases, will have to wait until January before they can reapply.
The Freedom Pass for the elderly will also be extended to 24 hours as promised and some off peak fares will be reduced.
Having it both ways
However, Boris Johnson was accused of trying to 'have it both ways' by pushing all blame for today's fare increases on to his predecessor.
Liberal Democrats Assembly Member Mike Tuffrey said at today's meeting:
"You were elected on a cost cutting agenda and Londoners will be dismayed that your first decision is to increase the cost of living.
"You can't blame the previous Mayor. He left you a growth in the budget of 5% and to come before us today and say it is all (his) fault when you are increasing spending is disingenious to put it at it's mildest."
Asked about the supposed 'black hole' left by the previous Mayor, the GLA's Executive Director Finance and Performance Martin Clarke said that Ken's figures had in fact been balanced.
However, this did not stop Boris continuing his tirade against the 'electoral bribery' and 'largesse' of his predecessors decision to freeze fares last year.
There was also disquiet amongst members that details of the fare increases were leaked to the press, but not sent to the committee charged with scrutinising them.
However, unlike the assembly members questioning him in the chamber this morning, you can now read full(ish) details of Boris's fare changes here.
Boris Johnson to raise travel fares across London
Boris Johnson will announce above inflation price hikes on bus and tube fares today, after failing to finance gaps left from scrapping the higher Congestion Charge and Venezuelan oil schemes.
Figures released to today's Budget and Performance Committee show that TfL had expected to reap up to £100 million pounds in revenue over the next two years from the £25 congestion charge.
The cancellation of the Venezuelan 'oil deal' had also led to Tfl handing back around £7 million to Venezuela and will leave another estimated £17 million hole in their budget every year.
Tube contracts and wages are also up, with Boris Johnson seemingly failing to negotiate his mythical no-strike deal.
These factors along with rising oil prices and the looming black hole which is the new fleet of Routemasters, means that today's rises are almost inevitable.
Default position
However, what was even more inevitable was his attempts to blame the rises on his predecessor Ken Livingstone.
After a few days in which he looked to be moving away from his seemingly permanent election mode, Boris has once again reverted to his default position of blaming Ken.
In a series of evening briefings journalists were told of the £80 million 'black hole' left by Ken's 'cynical' decision to freeze fares last year.
But with his own 'cynical' failure to mention expected fare rises during the election campaign, I think we can take this for the extended electioneering that it is.
-Update- A statement from Ken Livingstone in the comments
-Update- The figures are taken apart by Boris Watch
-Update- Mike Tuffrey of the Lib Dems anticipated this.
-Update- Val Shawcross of Labour on a 'cheap political shot'
-Update- Darren Johnson on the cost of being car-friendly
-Update- Bob Crow puts his own penny's worth in.
-Update- Full details now online. Some good and bad news
Wednesday, 3 September 2008
Will Boris abandon Project Cameron at City Hall?
Boris Johnson will not replace the disgraced Deputy Mayor for young people Ray Lewis, it was announced today, as further signs emerged that Team Cameron are losing their grip on City Hall.
Asked by Dave Hill at today's monthly press conference about his plans to relaunch his youth strategy, Boris said that a new strategy would be released in November.
However, on the question of who would head the strategy he conceded that:
"We are not going to be replacing the former Deputy Mayor for Youth in quite the same way but we will be having a panel of ambassadors."
Boris gave no hint as to who will be included on the panel, but there were at least some signs today that common sense may be returning to City Hall.
Boris Mark II?
Asked when Policy Exchange chief and neo-con hawk Anthony Browne would be starting work, Boris replied vaguely that he would be beginning 'soonish' and quickly moved on.
But after a pause he quickly remembered his other new employee and gave an enthusiastic welcome to his new environmental advisor and former Ken appointee Isabel Dedring.
He said that Dedring was 'extremely gifted' and applauded her work at driving through Ken's plans for hybrid buses against all bureaucratic obstacles.
These were of course the same hybrid buses that Boris was so scornful of during the campaign and Dedring was part of the same organisation singled out for culling by Wheatcroft, Parker and co.
So what exactly has changed over the summer, and how has Boris gone from being the champion of the Right, to being a union appeasing, think tank baiting, consensus achieving modern politician?
New Term
Well first of all it is important not to get carried away. There are still many battles ahead and with the arrival of Anthony Browne, things could turn very sour indeed.
But since the departure of Tim Parker over the summer, there has been a definite momentum towards common sense at City Hall.
And with the almost complete and abject failure of the Cameron-led project to install his team at Boris's shoulder, it has been the Milton and the borough boys who have moved in to claim the throne.
And with the return of local government to local government leaders, there should hopefully be some return to the realities of day-to-day administration, which are so alien to the ideologues at CCHQ.
Tuesday, 2 September 2008
Why Boris Johnson should tell Cameron to back off
The Financial Times carries the latest damning verdict from a 'senior member of David Cameron's Conservative Party' on Boris Johnson's time in power.
The off the record source describes the new administration as being 'a bit of a shambles' and is the latest attempt by a nervous Team Cameron to distance themselves from the Mayor.
But with four months of (pretty bruising) executive experience under his belt, I can't help but feel a little defensive of our new Mayor.
Because although Boris has made a bit of a mess of things so far, he is still by far the most powerful and electorally successful conservative politician in the country.
And if I was Boris Johnson right now, I would feel mightily pissed off to be taking anonymous criticism from the ranks of pompous gasbag nobodies at the top level of the Conservative Party.
In fact the standard line emanating from Team Cameron that "Boris is just Boris and he's nothing to do with us guv" is a fantastically patronising one.
And when many of the problems in Boris Johnson's first few months have been caused by the duds imposed on him from central office, it is also incredibly misleading.
So as Boris Johnson gears himself up to begin his new term in office my advice to him is to ignore the intellectually bankrupt know-nothings nudging their way into power and to start listening to his own instincts about how the capital should be run.
-UPDATE- There is a sign today that some common sense may be creeping through with this appointment.
Monday, 1 September 2008
Boris Johnson history 'Criminal' says Ping Pong Heir
Last week the chinese called him rude, his apoointee implied he had 'blood on his hands', and his Tory boss demoted him to the 'slumber slot' at the Tory Conference.
But the fallout from Boris Johnson's latest foray into diplomacy plummeted new depths today as the heir to ping pong slammed Boris's Beijing speech as 'criminal.'
The great grandson of the creator of Ping Pong, John Jaques told Kent News that 'Whiff Whaff' was nothing but a cheap imitation produced to cash in on the original game.
Joe Jacques, Commmercial Director of the world's oldest sports and games manufacturer Jaques of London, told the paper:
“I watched Mr Johnson’s speech on television and I was appalled. It looked like he had carried out some research but not quite enough."It’s criminal really and you would have thought he would be better-informed. What he said is like saying the English invented the Hoover but at the time it was called a Dyson. Mr Hoover would be furious, just as my family is about this mistake.”
Jaques complained to the Mayor's office but received no reply. However, the Mayor told Kent News that:
"I stand by my assertion that whiff whaff and ping pong are one and the same thing, with the 'whiffs' predating the 'pongs'."Regardless of semantics though, it is a sport of which we should be proud and I look forward to watching it in 2012."
But with both the sport's champions and creators now set against him, it will take a bit more than 'semantics' for him to emerge victorious at the London games.
-Update- The Times have followed up the story.
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