Boris for London?
Tuesday, July 17th, 2007
London is undoubtedly one of the great capital cities of the world, if not the greatest. Its diversity of people, of businesses and services and vast range of museums, galleries, theatres and green spaces give it an endless fascination for both vistors and residents. Samuel Johnson was quite right when he said “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.”
It deserves better than the present Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone. A man who has in the past seven years hugely increased the burearacy of the people working within his headquarters at City Hall. Furthermore, he has introduced innovations such as the notorious “bendy buses” which have been criticised for being environmentally unfriendly, a danger to pedestrians as well as the fact they known are known to many as “free buses” due to the lack of a designated conductor and the ability to simply hop on and off at doors away from the driver. His remarks have offended our Jewish community at a difficult time for them.
Any of the field of Conservative candidates that have put themselves forward for the mayoralty could do the job better than Ken, but as nominations closed at 12 noon yesterday, the name on everybody’s lips was Boris. Such is the popularity and personal appeal of the blond, often dishevelled, MP for Henley that he is known simply as Boris by large sections of the population. His frequent TV appearances and gaffes have only increased his attraction to the electorate at large.
I found his name being frequently mentioned in my constituency at the weekend. All in all it will make for a lively contest, and enable Ken Livingstone to spend more time in countries like Cuba and Venezuala.
And I think Boris, if elected, would thoroughly enjoy himself, as we would too.