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How Boris should start his quality legacy

By Martin Hoscik ⋅ November 21, 2008 ⋅ Post a comment

As he delivered a major speech on tackling London’s housing crisis, Boris Johnson yesterday promised to create a legacy of high quality affordable homes. He could score an early success by upholding the principles of mixed housing developments.

Can I suggest a new TfL design competition?

By Martin Hoscik ⋅ November 18, 2008 ⋅ Post a comment

With the ‘design a new bus for London’ competition now closed it seems timely to suggest a competition to redesign another part of TfL’s kit - the temporary bus stop. When their usual stop is closed why should passengers be further inconvenienced with a bus service straight out of the 1950’s?

Dare I say it, I (mostly) agree with Andrew Gilligan

By Martin Hoscik ⋅ November 13, 2008 ⋅ 10 comments

It’s not fashionable on the world of London blogging to agree with Andrew Gilligan but today’s column has a lot which supporters of democratic accountability should agree with.

Boris could be missing the point on youth violence

By Emma-Jane Cross ⋅ November 6, 2008 ⋅ 3 comments

Mayor Boris Johnson this week announced his manifesto on tackling youth crime, Emma-Jane Cross, Chief Executive of Beatbullying argues that the Mayor needs to take more intelligent action and focus on the causes of the problems, not just attempt to deal with them once they occur.

The needless spin of Boris Johnson’s City Hall

By Martin Hoscik ⋅ November 6, 2008 ⋅ One comment

City Hall claims the Mayor has “fulfilled a manifesto pledge to make London Government accountable and transparent by hosting his first People’s Question Time”. In fact the meeting has nothing to do with Boris’s election promises and would have been held whoever was Mayor.

Eight point policy to help London meet the recession

By Ken Livingstone ⋅ October 27, 2008 ⋅ 5 comments

Former London Mayor Ken Livingstone has published eight key policy points to help London meet the effects of the recession which he calls on Boris Johnson to “immediately” introduce.

Democracy, you’re nicked

By Damian Hockney ⋅ October 6, 2008 ⋅ Post a comment

When he was an MPA Member, Damian Hockney was alone for a year in calling openly for Sir Ian Blair to quit, at a time when the Conservatives were publicly backing the Commissioner. As an unknown politician from a small party, he was given lead item on all three national evening news broadcasts for his low level call and he says that’s when realised that the politicisation of the role of Met Chief was complete. He thinks that the latest developments hold dangers which are a logical extension of government muddying the waters of the way London is run. Today’s MPA meeting, the first with Boris as Chair, did not allay his concerns…

London should appoint its top cop

By Martin Hoscik ⋅ October 3, 2008 ⋅ 13 comments

Yesterday’s elbowing of Sir Ian Blair out of Scotland Yard was the first sign that Mayor Boris Johnson understands the implied power of his mandate. It’s been a long time coming and it’s very welcome.