Pete Wishart MP’s objections to UK taxpayers funding a London Olympics has much merit. His statement that “if London wants the Olympics, London should take financial responsibility” will easily find support outside the capital.
However it might surprise Mr Wishart to learn that his comments have supporters within London too.
Londoners face an increase in Council Tax to help pay for an event which many do not support. Local residents will face disruption & increased congestion for an event which will fail to enrich or improve the lives our the capital’s most needy.
The proposed budget of £2.375bn budget would go along way to improve the lives of everyday Londoners. Think of the difference it would make to public transport, or the number of affordable homes it could provide for those struggling to buy their first property. How many closed hospital wards or Emergency departments would it allow to be reopened?
Even more ambitious, how many homeless people in London and beyond would this money provide housing for?
Surely these issues should be the priority of our Mayor and Prime Minister, and not the provision of another white elephant in the Capital?
In the forthcoming Commons debate many Londoners will look to their own MPs to raise these points and speak against this scheme and in favour more sensible and needed uses of this money.
