10 April 2012

Boris speech marks official campaign launch

This morning marked the official launch of my campaign for re-election. I delivered a speech to a packed house in Richmond and wanted to share it with you:

Good morning and thanks for coming.

This election is being fought when Britain has been brought to the brink of bankruptcy. When Londoners have been going through some of the toughest times that we can remember and when the choice is between going back to the high tax, high spending creed of a bunch of taxpayer funded, Châteauneuf-du-Pape swilling, Outer London ignoring, car hating, semi-reformed Trotsyisksts and bendy bus fetishists whose approach to Government helped to get this country into this economic mess;

Or going forward with sensible, moderate and cost-effective government that invests in our future. That creates the conditions for business to grow. And that delivers on its promises.

Read More »

Categories: Campaign Updates, crime, economy, Fighting London's corner, housing, jobs and skills, London, Olympics, quality of life, sport, transport, youth | Tags: 9 point plan, Apprenticeships, Boris johnson, Campaign, Crime, Housing, London, Olympics, Transport

30 March 2012

My Olympic legacy manifesto

By Boris Johnson

Today I'm launching my Olympics manifesto and I wanted you to be one of the first to read it.

This year the capital will experience a summer like no other.

London will become the first city in history to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games three times. It is also the first host city in history to finish building the Olympic stadium a year early – not just ahead of time, but under budget.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games are about far more than just six weeks of amazing sport. I have worked to ensure they will lead to lasting economic, social and sporting benefits for London. I have ensured that these are the first Games where a host city has been building in the legacy from the beginning.

However, seven years ago we may have won the Games, but there was a real risk the opportunity they present would be squandered. Costs had quadrupled. There was no legacy plan. Taxpayers’ money was being wasted on unnecessary venues which would have become white elephants, while great venues across the capital were being under-utilised or ignored.

I have worked with the Olympic authorities to turn this around. I have co-chaired the Olympic Board, overseeing the entire project. I promised to keep costs low, and the Games will not cost London council taxpayers a penny more than pledged. I scrapped unnecessary new venues and used existing venues across the capital, saving tens of millions of pounds and ensuring all parts of London feel part of the Games. I put in place a credible legacy plan, creating thousands of jobs, ensuring a major economic boost to the capital.

I will go further:

• I will guarantee that the Olympic Legacy does not cost Londoners a penny more on their council tax.
• I will also ensure absolute transparency as the legacy plans transfer to the Mayor, requiring all expenditure to be published so Londoners know how money is being spent.
• I will make sure that after the closing ceremony all Londoners continue to benefit from the hard work and investment of the last four years. That is why, using new powers secured from the Government, I have set up a new Mayoral Development Corporation to take responsibility for the Olympic Park. This will reduce the number of bodies involved, bringing focus and safeguarding the economic legacy of the Games by implementing our detailed plans to build 11,000 new homes and create 10,000 new jobs.
• I will use my good strong relations with the businesses community to make use the Games venues with strong interest in taking on some of the venues, including the Olympic Stadium.
• And I will explore creating a new science institute in the Olympic Park, to boost London’s hi-tech economy, including lobbying for the proposed Cell Therapy Technology and Innovation Centre to be located there.

We have made progress despite difficult times. At the Mayoral election on 3rd May this progress is at risk. The choice at this election is between a plan to ensure a true Olympic legacy that keeps costs low and putting the legacy at risk by cutting investment and damaging the city's international reputation.

Categories: Campaign Updates, economy, housing, jobs and skills, London, Olympics, sport | Tags: Legacy, London 2012, Olympics, Paralympics

14 March 2012

Reporting back to Londoners

In the coming weeks I will be setting out my manifesto commitments for taking this great city forward over the next four years.

And I want my promises to be judged by the determination and success with which I fulfilled the promises I made to Londoners in 2008.

The last four years have been a long road, but despite the toughest financial times in a generation, we have a strong record of delivering for London.

I am proud of what we have achieved, which is why I am publishing a Progress Report on my 2008 manifesto commitments.

Read More »

Categories: Campaign Updates, crime, economy, environment, Fighting London's corner, housing, jobs and skills, London, Olympics, quality of life, sport, transport, youth | Tags: 2008, Manifesto, Progress report, Promises delivered

05 March 2012

9 point plan poster launch

Boris Johnson this weekend set out his nine point plan to secure a Greater London, in a speech on Saturday and then at the launch of the poster campaign on Sunday.

1,000 posters will go up across London - from Croydon to Enfield and Hillingdon to Havering. They detail Boris’s determination to end the waste and mismanagement of the previous Mayor to free up money to pay for a strong plan for London’s future.

Read More »

Categories: Campaign Updates, crime, economy, environment, Fighting London's corner, housing, jobs and skills, London, Olympics, quality of life, sport, transport, youth | Tags: 9 point plan, Council tax, Cutting waste, Jobs, London, Olympic legacy, Police on the streets, Poster campaign, Transport

25 January 2012

Mayor Boris Johnson's Draft Budget: Value for money and freezing the precept

This administration has been dedicated to delivering value for Londoners’ money, and to leading the city to a strong economic recovery.

You must remember that in the last four years we have not only been dealing with the deepest recession for 50 years.

We have had to overturn and reform a culture of waste in City Hall.

Read More »

Categories: crime, economy, Fighting London's corner, London, Olympics, quality of life, transport | Tags: Budget, City hall, Council tax, Cutting waste, London assembly

24 January 2012

£1 a day to keep Ken away

There are 100 days to go until Londoners head to the polls to vote for their Mayor.

We're in for a tough fight to stop London being taken backwards.

To compete with Ken Livingstone's union funded and controlled campaign, I need your help.

Read More »

Categories: Campaign Updates, crime, economy, Fighting London's corner, Get Involved, jobs and skills, London, Olympics, quality of life, sport, transport | Tags: £1 a day, Council tax, Crime, Investment, Jobs, Olympics, Record, Transport, Value for money

09 December 2011

WATCH: Bendy buses off London's roads

At just after midnight tonight, the bendy bus on route 207 from White City to Hayes by-pass will make it's final journey.

Introduced in June 2002 by Ken Livingstone, bendy buses were unsuitable for London's roads. Too often they were involved in dangerous accidents and it was too easy to avoid paying.

Click 'read more' to watch the video and find out more what Boris has delivered for London.

Read More »

Categories: Campaign Updates, crime, environment, Fighting London's corner, Get Involved, jobs and skills, London, Olympics, quality of life, sport, transport, youth | Tags: Achievements, Bendy bus, Council tax freeze, Wez

05 December 2011

The future is bright for Greenwich

Greenwich has plenty going for it - a rich heritage, a thriving local economy and most importantly of all, a real sense of community spirit.
   
We have seen many improvements in the borough in the time that Boris has been Mayor. 

Read More »

Categories: Campaign Updates, crime, London, Olympics, sport, transport | Tags: Abbey wood, Avery hill park, Crossrail, Dlr, Greenwich, Olympics, Oyster, Woolwich

01 December 2011

A pretty exciting place to live

Hackney’s a pretty exciting place to live right now.

From my house I can see the Olympic Stadium and the refurbished London Overground. And we need someone who can make sure we get the most out of these new opportunities.

The Olympics are a great opportunity for Hackney, and although lots of people think it’s costing an arm and a leg, it was costing an arm and two legs before Boris got hold of it!

Read More »

Categories: Campaign Updates, crime, Fighting London's corner, jobs and skills, London, Olympics, transport | Tags: Crime, Hackney, Hackney wick, Jobs, London overground, Olympics, Shoreditch, Technology

25 November 2011

Progress in Lewisham

It's an exciting time to be a Londoner. Next year our city will be in the spotlight with the Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. It is also a time to reflect on the last three and a half years of London under the stewardship of Mayor Boris Johnson.
  
Since being elected in May 2008 I have seen Boris working hard to deliver for London and Lewisham - moving away from the waste under Ken Livingstone.

Read More »

Categories: Campaign Updates, crime, London, Olympics, quality of life, transport | Tags: Council tax freeze, Diamond jubilee, Lewisham, Olympics, Oyster, Police