I’ve worked for Ken and Boris — I’m backing Ken

Under Ken's leadership London became a model city — culturally, socially and economically.
Crossrail control: Ken Livingstone
Richard Rogers30 April 2012
WEST END FINAL

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The choice of who is to run the city has never been more critical. We need a Mayor who is visionary and decisive, who understands the needs and aspirations of ordinary Londoners. We want a Mayor who understands the need for a better distribution of wealth and who will help protect the vulnerable from the Government’s slash-and-burn economics.

I worked for 10 years with both Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson as chief adviser to City Hall on urbanism and regeneration — and I am convinced that Ken best meets the needs of Londoners.

We’ve already seen that Ken understands the job of Mayor. He can think strategically and is deeply interested in the detail. He established the autonomous role of the Mayor at a time when there was far less appetite for devolved power than there is now.

Under his leadership London became a model city — culturally, socially and economically. It was visited by leaders from around the world studying how such urban vitality had been achieved. Ken maintained the green belt and increased public space. He set a target for developers to build 50 per cent of affordable housing adjacent to all new private developments.

Ken focused on the regeneration of east London, and when with his support the Olympics were won for London, he chose a site in the East End knowing it would strengthen one of the poorest parts of the city.

Ken secured the go-ahead for Crossrail, he cut congestion, revived the bus service, licensed minicabs and doubled the number of cycling trips made in the city. He has the ambition to achieve even more.

Some people, including too many from the liberal Left, say choosing Ken would be disappointing. I agree that his inability to apologise over gaffes is unattractive, and although he has done nothing illegal, greater transparency over his tax affairs would have been wise and welcome.

But to echo American author Jake Lamar on Barack Obama, I would not be disappointed if Ken cut public transport fares by seven per cent, showing his understanding of how most people are struggling in tough economic times.

I would not be disappointed if he offered childcare grants of up to £700 to low-income families, interest-free loans to families earning up to £40,000 a year and campaigned for better childcare services. I would not be disappointed if he reinstated the Educational Maintenance Allowance.

I would not be disappointed if he took full responsibility for Londoners’ safety by heading the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime — and by reversing the cuts Boris Johnson made to policing, including Safer Neighbourhood Teams.

I would not be disappointed if Ken made cutting Londoners’ fuel bills and reducing carbon emissions a priority. I would not be disappointed if he introduced a city-wide empty homes strategy, ending the scandal of decent homes lying empty while waiting lists lengthen.

I am passionate about the benefits that compact, sustainable cities can provide. I would not be disappointed if Ken were given the chance to make London a model for the world once more.

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