A veneer of oversight

Today the London Assembly will hold a confirmation hearing into the appointment of Kit Malthouse as Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority. It’s a pointless fudge between preserving the Mayor’s executive powers and paying lip-service to increasing scrutiny of him or her.

Does Boris really need one hour bus tickets explaining to him again?

Which genuinely needy group are one hour bus fares designed to help? Subsidised travel schemes for pensioners, low income households and disabled people are vital but fare payers should only subsidise those in genuine need.

Seasonal cheer was in short supply at Mayor’s Question Time

When future historians sit down to compile a list of the London Assembly’s finest moments today’s Mayor’s Questions Time won’t be a contender for inclusion.

A very cautious welcome to ‘Commissioner Boris’

I always disappoint many of you when I speak in favour of greater control of the police by the Greater London Authority (or for that matter greater powers for Boris over ANYTHING) so some readers might want to look away now.

London by night, seen from the London Eye

Along with a few other London writers and bloggers I spent Wednesday night taking in the stunning views from the London Eye, one of the capital’s finest modern attractions.

In defence of bonuses for London’s transport workers

In the 80’s and 90’s London’s transport network was shamefully dirty and unreliable. Turning that around is probably Ken Livingstone’s biggest legacy. Doing so meant a clean out of staff and the hiring and promotion of more capable brains. As tempting as it might be when revenues are falling, we tamper with that legacy at our peril.

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