Tory London Spokesperson Jacqui Lait has told ePolitix.com that she believes “many residents are on the point of “revolt” over mayoral intervention in areas like planning” claiming there is a “general fear that Ken Livingstone, if he’s given these extra powers, will dictate”.
I wonder where she gets her facts from? How does she gauge the level of disapproval over an issue such as this?
One can only assume her mailbag contains hundreds or even thousands of letters and emails from Londoners spewing forth on the issue. If this is the case she should suggest they participate in the current consultation as a quick call to Ruth Kelly’s Department for Communities, Fluffiness and the Cessation of Religious Extremism reveals that there have been only “a handful” of responses to date.
Could it be that the comments are actually informed by lots of Tory Councillors bristling at the prospect of Ken Livingstone, as opposed to the Mayor of London, obtaining power that currently rests with them.
Pete says
October 5, 2006 at 10:43 amAlthough no fan of Ms Lait I think you are being a bit unfair here. I know of at least 4 Residents Associations in the capital currently undertaking “discussions” with their membership about these new powers. There is a good deal of anxiety out there.
And as the closing date for responses to the DCLG is not until November 2nd, maybe the civil servants should not relax just yet:)-
By the way for anyone who downloaded the consultation paper from the DCLG site on the day it was published, you should note that the closing date is November 2nd 2006 – not 2008 as the paper originally said – they have changed it now!
Martin says
October 5, 2006 at 10:51 amThanks for the input Pete and the clarification of the closing date – I confess to not spotting the 2008 on the copy I downloaded until you pointed it out. 🙂
In fairness to the staff at DCLG we called them to enquire and they answered based on the situation at the time – it may well be the case that they’ve since been flooded with responses…