Mumsnet Talk

thank you for not allowing homophobic adverts on london buses, and doing it reflexively and unselfconsciously as if there couldn't possibly be any other action

*my question*: as the gap between have and havenot increases, and the working poor are increasingly priced out of living in the capital, what measures are you taking to ensure that london does not ultimately become the city of the ultrarich served by the ultrapoor who must commute great distances to do so?

MNHQ, are there also plans to have Ken on? Would be useful to compare answers.
<goes off to try to think of a good question for Boris>

Hi Boris!

Have noticed that whilst Borough Education Departments are having to rapidly step up to the mark regarding schooling the ongoing baby-boom (of 2002/3 onwards), there seems to be a certain reticence to address the fact that these children are rapidly approaching secondary schooling (think the oldest of the cohort are now in Year 4). What are you planning to ensure that there will be enough quality secondary schooling to meet demand in the coming years? The emphasis here is on schools that parents will want to send their children to, not ones that have spare places but are not up-to-standard!

Many thanks

MNHQ - are we getting all the candidates on for webchats? If we're having Boris and Ken, its only fair to the others to be offerred the opportunity to come on.

Boris - London Riots: what would you have done differently in retrospect? As the gulf between the haves and have nots is only set to widen, I'm not alone in suspecting more discontent and potential riot situations so how would you as Mayor address this?

Hullo Boris, I think you are gorgeous. A kiss would be lovely

My question is: What preparations have you made for a Zombie Apocalypse, and what do you have in your OFRS?

Thank you x

BoJo is clever but he may not know that OFRS= oh fuck rucksack, for when you panic and fleeeee the apocalypse etc

What's your favourite biscuit then, Boris?

Boris! you are a legend..that is all

As the number of young black unemployed men hits 50% in the UK, what as mayor will you be doing to help get more black men into work? Figures have also shown that women are going to hit hardest by the recession, and black women more so, as I black person I find it difficult to even contemplate voting for a Tory mayor, why should I vote for you?

Boris - cycling. What are you going to do to make sure that fewer cyclists die in London on bikes this year? And to make cycling safer and easier?

Any particular plans for the Kings cross junction that is incredibly dangerous and has already claimed lives?

Are you a feminist Boris?

Boris, why aren't you PM?

Hi Boris,
I'm definitely considering voting for you after reading your Mumsnet blog but I'm troubled by your reputation of elitism and nepotism, ie belonging to an 'old boys' club'.

What can you say to reassure me that you're a modern Londoner who realises that many of those in the Capital are struggling on a salary which you might consider 'chicken feed'?

I Love old Boris!

MNHQ What about Brian Paddick and the other candidate(s)? Will they be asked on, too?

Hi Boris,

Figures published on the MET website state that in the last 12 months in London we had more than a 100 murders, more than 3,000 rapes, more than 30,000 robberies etc. Given the proposed cuts to the MET force, the already stretched judicial and prison services; how are you going to effectively tackle crime in London and bring these numbers down within these contraints?

Oh Boris, you do make me larf

Onto more serious matters, I think that David Cameron bears a striking resemblance to Iggle Piggle, which of ITNG characters do you think you are most like and why?

PS <mwah>

How can the billions being spent on the olympics be justified given the appalling state of the economy and how much ordinary people are suffering under this coalitions draconian policies?

Like you, I love London. You've got some remarkable achievements under your belt, like the bikes and tightening up of anti-social behaviour on the tube.

But too many Londoners, including kids, live in unsafe, unsuitable homes - I'm thinking particularly of the tower blocks, some of which disgrace our communities.

No child should grow up in a noisy, dangerous place with next to no outdoor play space. (It's not good for their parents either). Is this something that you could focus lots of attention on if you get back?

Is there anything you could do to extend the R11 bus route to the Princess Royal University Hospital? It currently stops at Green St Green and is the only bus that could potentially go between Queen Mary's Sidcup Hospital to the Princess Royal - would be really useful for relatives visiting patients who are no longer treated at QMS but who live in Bexley.

MNHQ Someone just made the point on Newsnight there are 7 mayoral candidates.

No questions, just want to say Go Boris!

Does your Mum tell you off, when she see's you on TV with messy hair?

Boris, who is your hairdresser?

OMG is this a real thing that is really going to happen, in the real world?
<sets alarms, reminders etc to watch BoJo get a pasting from MNers>

Ken is also going to be on? <faints with anticipation>

How do you feel about the Leader of your Party's Housing Benefit reforms' and how they will in reality make many families leave London,uprooting their children from school,losing their jobs and so on? I live,like you,in Islington,and quite frankly it is quite alarming on how many of my daughter's school friends are leaving the school and the borough due to the changes'.

Dear Boris, Have you any idea what it is like to be a lone parent at the moment, working as I do full-time, but skint and vilified nevertheless? (My ExH pays under £35 a week per child out of his very decent salary.) How do you actually think I manage? Because I don't. My children could be as bright as yours; but let's face it, they'll never be as likely to succeed, will they? p.s. I have a PhD.

I haven't heard any of the candidates even mention London's role as this country's capital city. How does Boris see that role developing? At the moment London seems more remote to me than it has ever done in my life.

MNHQ - you havent answered my earlier question. I get that lots of people are treating the Mayor's race as a 2 horse race between Boris and Ken - exactly because they have the most spend behind them and the most publicity. But honestly, it would make so much more sense to have all 7 candidates on, not just the two most publicised.

Boris - about violence against women in London.

Your administration introduced the under reported and excellent 'The Way Forward' london-wide strategy on ending violence against women. I want to know:

1. What will you do to further improve the initial police response to reports of rape, domestic violence, and all forms of violence against women. It's this 1st response that really matters but too often it's still poor and women end up not seeing a report thru to prosecution..

2. Your manifesto mentions specific action on FGM and honour based violence. Really good. Will you match ken's commitment to tackle sexual harassment in public places in London?

3. There has been criticism of your youth mentoring scheme for failing to take girls' needs into account. Are you committed to ensuring all serious youth violence work includes girls' needs from scratch?

4. Finally, your deputy kit malthouse spoke at a women's hustings last week (EVAW Coalition) and when asked about prostitution gave a strong answer on its inherently abusive nature and some measures mayor-gla can take. But he also said national debate is needed to look at law. Do you agree?

Thanks.

I live so far up North that I really have no interest in this.

I love you Boris. Would you be willing to turn your back on your party so that we could marry?

Hi Boris, what do you think about your main rival Ken Livingstone's comments about London's Jewish community? Do you feel he was sincere in his apology or do you think he is a divisive force in London. What will you do as Mayor and what have you done to ensure London's different faith communities and groups rub together nicely?

Am I allowed another question? Can I propose to Boris?

Boris will you marry me?

What can you do to help part time workers with commuting costs? I work three days a week - so can't benefit from a weekly travel card - instead I have to pay a daily three zone pass which is only marginally (but still importantly) cheaper.

Would be a great sign to business (and good for us worker bees) if you and TFL could get together and make transport cheaper for part time workers (and perhaps flexible workers - ie cheaper prior to rush hour/ getting home for school run).

Thanks

Hi Boris,

Same question as Crumblemum

TIA

hi Boris, what plans do you have to kick start and maintain regeneration in poorer areas?

As the favorite biscuit got in at question 5.... Have you ever felt the need to release your inner hippy?

I want my kids to be safe cycling to school - when are you going to commit to 20mph on TFL controlled roads? In Holland half of all kids cycle to school - we could have the same and reduce the shocking rate of 1 in 5 obese kids in London.

Hi B! What is your favorite part of London? Please don't tell me that you've got whole town in your heart...I'm asking where you like to relax with your family the most? We won't be stalking you, promise!

Hi Boris!

What do you make of the whole tax avoidance saga with Ken Livingstone?

Boris did you and Ken really square up to each other in that lift?resulting in the debacle about declaring individual tax

What is your view re the changes to Child Benefit?

Where do you get your hair cut?

Hello Boris,

I think you are probably the only Tory I'd voluntarily be mates with. You seem like an alright old stick.

I had a lengthy chat about you with a black cab driver when I was in the capital last year. He said that he thought that you'd surprised a lot of ordinary Londoners and that you do really care about London. You also seem popular with a lot of (not all, I hasten to add, before I am robustly corrected) non-Conservative voters. Why do you think that you seem to appeal when your colleagues have such a terrible public image?

Ahhh pants. Forgot to revert to my polite username to ask that question so I expect I will get roundly ignored.

Boris, you have a popular image as a bit of a philanderer who doesn't take women or women's issues seriously. Is it true you axed the role of Women's Adviser on taking power? And can you tell us about the women on your management team? What women have you recruited to top posts and what percentage do they form of your senior management team? Can you tell us as well about how many Conservative Assembly members are women, and what contribution they are making to your policies? Thank you.

Hi Boris,

I've seen that you've attended hustings relating to gay rights, disability rights and black rights. The Fawcett Society is holding a hustings with the LSE in a couple of weeks and it is billed as the Women's hustings. All of the other candidates are attending, however, you're not. Please can you explain why you are not attending considering how important women voters will be in this election and given that all of the other candidates are?

Why does the word "childcare" not appear in your manifesto?

Patriae nimis cogitat de Londinium et non satis ceteris eius populus?

Sorry, that perhaps should have read patria, it's a long time since I did OL Latin.

(Apologies to Miss Howard and Mrs Pinsent)

Boris-The Olympics....

I am actually a huge supporter of The Olympics (although extremely disappointed that I didn't get allocated any tickets) however I really think the Tube is not able to cope with such an influx of visitors.

On Tuesday I had to go to work and all three lines I use were suspended. I only had a four hour shift so my workplace advised me that there was no point me coming in as I would be an hour late. This meant my Oyster was charged a huge amount for me going up and down the tube line trying to find an alternative route and I missed out on money I was depending on as I only get paid hourly when I am physically doing my job. And this was without the Olympics!!! (I have contacted TFL but no reply as yet).

My DP is going to work from home but I work at a major heritage site in a customer facing role so there is no way that I can do this. I think people who live in London will face these problems and for me I really cannot afford to lose money because I physically cannot get into my place of work.

What would you suggest/provisions are in place for Londoners travelling during the Olympics?

Hello Boris

You've been a vocal critic of Labour's spending record, and yet your own while in office has been .. well, let's tot it up.

5 new Routemasters = £7.8m. The hubristic Greenwich cable car = £60m - originally trumpeted as costing the taxpayer nada, now likely to be be bailed out by us because - surprise - costs have ballooned and private funding has scarpered.

Another pet project, the Outer London Fund = £40m. All borrowed, despite the fact that the Assembly said “the business case for borrowing £40 million for the Outer London Fund has not yet been made.”

In total you have borrowed, or plan to borrow, £110 million pounds - using up the GLA's entire borrowing capacity and costing we Londoners £10m in interest and loan repayments per year, for an unspecified period.

Any explanation for the gaping chasm between 'say' and 'do' here?

Hi Boris
I read your guest blog post where you mention steps you’ve taken to ensure ‘our children can play outside’. On top of planting street trees, and restoring green spaces – would you commit to protecting those green spaces too? The QEII Fields Challenge (www.qe2fields.com/default.aspx) gives councils the opportunity to protect parks & pitches forever but sadly it hasn’t had as much take up in London as elsewhere. Would you take it up as a mayoral pledge?
thanks for your time.

And, if I can have one more quickie - how can it be possible for you to earn £250K (more than 10 times the national wage) from the Telegraph AND your generous, publicly-funded £143,911 mayor's salary?

One of your employers is getting a bum deal - which is it, me, or the Torygraph?

I'm not the only mum on here who worries about money, in fact it's probably my biggest worry right now. It's not just rising food and fuel prices though, it's the huge costs of childcare - it's criminal that if I go back to work all I earn will go on childcare, so what's the point?

My question: Why did you abolish the Chilcare Affordability Programme?

Why have you not said anything about gender equality in your manifesto - do you not think that it's important?

Justine I'd love to have a webchat with all the candidates but understand it is a bit London-centric.

Simple question: Why have you taken away our South London Rail line?

Hi Boris,

How can you justify the Olympic tube upgrades being shouldered by the working poor in fare hikes?

I have to a) commute with my child to school by tube and bus as he didn't receive a place at a local school and then b) take a second bus to my NMW paying job. On my way home when time is not of the essence I walk to the tube station saving one bus fare.

Saying the tubes needed to be upgraded anyway doesn't wash - it wouldn't have had to be done so quickly, and if working people were going to pay for it, the NMW should have been raised to reflect it.

What advice do you have for those who will be commuting in London during the Olympics? Taking the time off work is not an option.

what's your favourite biscuit Boris?

My question is this;

As a member of the 'haves' in society, do you think it's fair that the 'have nots' or the 'have less' are the people who are being hammered to sort out the deficit? Whilst the people on the highest salaries have had their tax cut from 50% to 45%, because 50% is 'too much', people on 50-60k are being taxed at a marginal rate of 72% because of the child benefit cuts (we lose £720 out of every £1000 above 50k, and keep only £280). People on low incomes are losing thousands of pounds in WTC, because of the changes in the rules about number of hours worked, which is madness in a time of high and rising unemployment.

If you were in the Government would you be embarrassed by the string of cock-ups demonstrating their incompetence, stupidity and prioritising the rich?
* HorseGate
* Child Benefit (Still grossly unfair, despite the revision)
* Granny Tax
* Pasty Tax
* Fuel debacle
* Charities mess - slashing money from charities, rather than clamping down on offshore banking, transfer to spouses, trust funds, paying in dividends - hey, lets take the money from the charities instead.

etc
etc

The government is a shambles. (Sorry I know that's kind of 2 questions - i) is it fair to hammer the poor and help the rich, and ii) would you be embarrassed to be in the government?, but hope that's ok).

Can I sneak one more in please that I thought of as I hit 'Post Message' - ignore if you like!

Bristol is holding a referendum on having an elected mayor. In your opinion, how would Bristol benefit from this, and are there some negatives to be aware of, as we decide how to vote?

Also this is a comment rather than a question. Just to observe that by replacing bendy buses with routemasters, it effectively halved the space on the bus for buggies. Which means I can regularly no longer get on the number 29 bus with my children. I know it's a small thing compared with employment, childcare, infrastructure, policing etc but it annoys me a lot!
<from the woman trying to hold her two month old in her teeth while folding a buggy with one hand and using the other to stop her pre-schooler legging it>

<drumroll>

Hi Boris. Thanks for coming on here. I think you've been a pretty good Mayor of London over the last 4 years and loved your column in the Telegraph a few weeks back explaining how your approach to the new Routemaster bus epitomised your general approach to cutting waste.

My question is this: given that you have shown yourself to be highly capable of governing at the highest level now, when are you going to launch your bid to take over from David Cameron? Although I liked him at first, he's proven to be nothing more than a lightweight when it comes to being Prime Minister. The recent Budget cock-ups on everything from pensioners to pasties to charity tax underline this. We need a conviction politician to lead this country and I reckon you'd fancy a shot at it - so come on Boris, tell us what your plan is?

<drumroll fades>

sorry Justine that was a unfortunate xpost

HELLO BORIS

If you were to take over as leader of the conservatives and then PM who would you get to replace George Osborne as chancellor? Just hypothetically...

Oooh, he's a latecomer...

BORIS why are you not in favour of realistic transport fares for londoners? And why does london the most expensive travel cost in the world and who is profiting at our expense?

Is there an urban myth about London that gets you riled?

Mine is that all Londoners are unfriendly. It just isn't true and I think the people's army of broomsweepers after last years riots shows what we're made of.

Hi Boris!
When I was little girl I was dreaming about meeting my prince and about our wedding day and happy ever after!
Nowadays ,marriage isn't so important and it looks like it is much better to be Alon parent. what do you think about it? Why it is so? Why married couples with middle incomes live worst than single mums?

As a Londoner I was stunned when you were so slow to respond to the riots last summer. What measures have been taken to prevent the same situation - both in terms of the riots and your response - never happen again?

Boris,

Considering the fact that (reported) homophobic crime has risen in London at alarming rates over the past several years, why do you seem to have made no recorded promises to LGBT londoners in your manifesto so far and, as mayor, what would you do to ensure the diversity of our city and communities is preserved and help LGBT people be and feel safe?

Ah, you md a schoolgirl error in specifying marriage, McFluffster. Bigamy's orf, even for the mayor. Should have lowered yr sights to 'have yr secret love-child &c'?

Hi Boris.

The domestic violence charity Refuge will very likely have to close this summer as its funding was slashed. Conversely, domestic violence goes up during bad economic times. So, what's your strategy for saving Refuge, and for funding services for survivors of domestic violence?

And an addition, Boris, why should LGBT londoners vote for you/how would we feel represented by you when you once are claimed to have said "if gay marriage was OK - and I was uncertain on the issue - then I saw no reason in principle why a union should not be consecrated between three men, as well as two men, or indeed three men and a dog."?

Good Morning Boris,

Frank Field has raised an issue regarding allocation of Social Housing. What are your thoughts? And where are the beautiful new homes you promised were going to be built? I live near Paddington Basin - why are the council refusing to build any Social Housing on that site? Do we need any more (Rubbish) Luxury Apartments sitting empty when families are squeezed in all around?

I'm fed up with listening about all the rubbish about Social Housing - are we not yet agreed that the City needs rich and poor working and living together. Please don't let London become the playground to the rich!

We live in the Bexley and have been paying extra council tax for the olympics. Unfortunately as a Bexley resident who is involved in the day to day running of a local swimmingclub we have not benefited from the Olympics at all. Why is not more being done to support young people in sport. It does not necessary has to be funding. Things such as being allowed to have a training session in the Olympic pool for example, before the games would not cost the earth and could raise the profile of small clubs which in turn attracts publicity etc...

Boris, there seems to have been a lot of mudslinging in the debates so far.

I'd like to hear what you think of other candidates' policies (not just Ken's).

Also could you tell me why you can't cut fares? The prices of london transport are at tourist prices, and is holding lower paid workers to ransom. What can you do to help us?

Also, what will you do to encourage employers to pay a london living wage?

Boris

My 10 year old nephew was mugged 2 weeks ago and my 14 year old nephew has been mugged twice, all times coming home from school and by teenagers. They are Londoners. It breaks my heart and scares the life out of me that they have got to live life like this.

Please do something to stop these people running our streets and help make our children safe.

Boris, another one, in English this time. Any thoughts on the middle class flight from the capital that has taken place over the last two decades, and any plans on attracting this socio-demographic group back in order to reduce social polarisation in the capital?

Boris, you recently published your tax return. Do you think all MPs should do the same, and given that one very popular way of minimising tax is to transfer income into your husband/wife's name, should a spouse's tax return also be published?

Oooh <squeak> hello Boris!

I didn't really think he was a latecomer. Please don't put me on the Naughty List.

He hasn't kissed me, we're both one the naughty list Bups and he obviously hasn't seen our profile pics

Am I going to get in trouble for riding my bicycle in the Zil Lanes during the Olympics?

On the subject of the Olympics, I live in Bexley too. I have heard that the roads in Greenwich are going to be shut for the whole period to allow VIPs to use them. This is going to cause mayhem on the surrounding areas for people in and out of work to London. Most people I speak to are going to be under house arrest and my brother is going to stay with my Mum for 2 weeks as he can't get his usual bus to work. Is this fair for, I presume, a few hundred people a day to have this privilege?

Hi Boris

Is there any chance of you considering reintroducing zone 2:6 travel cards, weekend travel cards and family travel cards?

The price of getting into London with my family really puts me off making the trip.

Thanks

Boris, <swoons> Show us your playfull side

<I have a vote going spare>

Tell us about the messy hair thing you have going on. Your hair facinates me. I did ask earlier if your Mum tells you off if she see's you in the press with messy hair?

OH YEAH

Boris, remember when you chased those hoodlums off on your bike, who were about to attack that lady in Camden?

<fans Sarah's face>

Hmm, re rape crisis centres - your original, but now deleted manifesto promised £744K per year to fund them. In fact, they're only getting £466K a year - when are you going to give them the missing 280K per year that they so desperately need?

Hero <squeak>

Also, what are you going to do to maintain links with other main cities in the UK- Birmingham, Coventry, Manchester, Leeds, which can bring London investment and vice versa. As the nations largest city we also have a responsibility to help other cities prosper too. So, if I vote for you, how will your office be not only good for London but good for the UK??

<He's definitely like Oopsy-Daisy. They go to the same hairdresser, I am convinced of that. His hair puffs up when he gets excited, just like hers.>

Please don't, we've met and I like your hair just the way it is

Boris, what will you do to make good quality childcare more affordable for Londoners? My partner and I are in the adoption process, want to adopt a sibling group (of little Londonders), and despite having good jobs probably can't afford to taken on more than two children because of the cost of care!

Boris, a word to the wise, do take your hands out of your pockets at the Olympics, won't you, not like the launch at Beijing? Or we will have to send one of the more stern Mnetters to tell you off most severely.

Leave him alone, Stratton.

<leads Sarah away>

Boris, your hair always looks clean. HTH.

Hi Boris!
I want my kids to be safe cycling to school - when are you going to commit to 20mph on TFL controlled roads? In Holland half of all kids cycle to school - we could have the same and reduce the shocking rate of 1 in 5 obese kids in London.

Boris - how did you choose the middle name Lettice for your daughter?

Dear Boris, have you actually reviewed the studies on cycling with a helmet?

There is no consensus on whether they improve safety at all and they certainly have behavioural disadvantages in terms of both cyclists AND motorists compensating for their perceived protection by cycling and driving more dangerously.

A helmet is NOT a substitute for safe cycling and safe roads, and it's very irresponsible to tell people to just put a helmet on and it will magically protect them from the tipper trucks and killer HGVs.

I could do that, Bups and I could hold a hand each.

Poulay last time I read the literature on this it suggested they were vital for children, who are more likely to fly over the handlebars in an accident, and who have softer skulls, and less important for adults, who are more likely to break an arm or a leg in an accident.

"If elected, I will use the position I have to persuade employers to show more flexibility and match women with the right skills with part-time job shares, creating more jobs for women who find it difficult to combine work with looking after a child."

Really - how? This kind of thing can't really be sorted between chaps, over Hurlingham G&Ts, can it Boris?

BoffinMum, there are not many children cycling on the congested, HGV-ridden roads of London.

Thanks Boris I like the sound of what you are doing. My nephews live in Camden. And the latest incident was reported to the Police with descriptions but don't hold out much hope of them being found.

On a positive note, I was burgled last year. I cannot praise the Police response enough. They arrived within 10 minute of my call the aftercare was brilliant and they even found my car that was nicked. (Probably says something about the state of my car.)

I think you are doing a good job and really hope Ken doesn't get back in.

In Scotland a lot of charities & organisations have been refused lottery funding as it is being diverted to London due to the Olympics.
The Olympics does not benefit the rest of the UK despite what some may say so do you think it's fair other countries in the UK are suffering as a result?

Certainly when Glasgow hosts the commonwealth games I doubt very much that charities in London will suffer.

Transport is not free for under 18 in london Boris, the zip card takes money off!

We live in London and it is a fourteen year old with the zip card. You don't provide free transport as you state, sorry Boris!

what are you going to do to maintain links with other main cities in the UK- Birmingham, Coventry, Manchester, Leeds, which can bring London investment and vice versa. As the nations largest city we also have a responsibility to help other cities prosper too. So, if I vote for you, how will your office be not only good for London but good for the UK??

ARE YOU GOING TO TELL US YOUR FAVOURITE BISCUIT?

Come on. This is important stuff.

But 20mph across London would make the most difference - not helmets!

Ach, if that's the case, it might have been better to front it out, instead of deleting your manifesto. That rather makes it look as though you were trying to cover your tracks and hope we didn't notice, shifty-like ;)

Hi Boris,

Thanks for answering my question. You mentioned your manifesto; where can I find it and what's the key part of your 9 point plan?

Boris,

What will you be doing to improve social mobility in London?

Plain or milk chocolate?

At the Beijing Olympic closing ceremony, you kept shoving your hands in your pockets. Please don't do that at this one.

Don't worry about the hair. Just think "hands, not in pockets. cakewench told me so."

I don't live in London but I think the ladies who do have raised some good and proper points with you today. Please excuse my silly one. ;)

"Substantial" is still alarming,though.

Thanks, you can be on Team Stratters, Boris

oh goodness, I can't even wink at the man properly. Here's another try:

Boris, tip, put a mirror and hairbrush in your of rucksack!

Didn't get a kiss

<practices Sadface for Daily Mail shoot>

Hi Boris
I read your guest blog post where you mention steps you’ve taken to ensure ‘our children can play outside’. On top of planting street trees, and restoring green spaces – would you commit to protecting those green spaces too? The QEII Fields Challenge gives councils the opportunity to protect parks & pitches forever but sadly it hasn’t had as much take up in London as elsewhere. Would you take it up as a mayoral pledge?

ps, people here would be v excited about your biscuit comments. I shall pass them on.

<pushes for that elusive kiss>

Brilliant biscuit answer - Gordon Brown take note!

ooh Boris you smooth talker you....

Re the biscuit answer...Boris just sounds to me like a man that wants it all!

Thank you Boris, and thank you very much for answering my inane questions, as well as the serious ones.

<mwah>

Thanks for answering our question, Boris!

Good luck on 3rd May too!

We did actually give you an easy ride Boris,to be honest.

Probably because so many on here fancy you rotten although that is not my view I'm a Johny Depp girl myself

Hi Boris, I do not live in London, but do like to visit it from time to time, I can't pretend to understand the issues that you have down there in that London, as the little town I live in has only got 3 roads, and 2 of them go to the same place . Do you think that smaller cities and towns could benefit from an elected Mayor? What do you bring to to the role that a local council leader could not do? We do have a mayor, but it is more of a charitable role.

too late

He didn't actually answer the plain or milk quezza tho [eagle-eye-swivel]. He bouffed his way around it, as per.

I like both, I prefer to think of it as being non-discriminatory.

I was really hoping he wld be v late, so we could all moan perimenopausally about whether we'd lost our bojo.

<strums Mr BoJongles, wistfully>

Classic photo - love it!

Superb specimen.

Naice OFRS too.

He is not charming.
He did not answer my question in Latin.
I only asked if he thought the country was too London-centric at the expense of the other 80% of the UK population.
That wasn't so hard.
Don't give him any biscuits.

He can have as many chocolate digestives as his heart desires as far as I'm concerned. He answered both of my Highly Important questions.



Mind you, he probably remembered me from last time we met.

<channels her Inner Brick>

And he didn't answer my question about female representation in his top team and the Conservative London Assembly members. Probably because the answer is that representation is woefully low, I imagine.
<hides biscuit barrel>

Arf at remembered you from the last time Stratts. You mean that time your face was pressed up against the window of his cab, all adoring eyes and flat squished nose?

Has anybody ever actually said Jammy Dodger btw?

I do quite love Bozza. He's definitely the most shaggable Tory

<admires Boris's masterful handling of the Biscuit Question>

I don't like him. But that was impressive.

good luck Boris! London needs a well educated Mayor with a good brain and a cheerful disposition. I think London runs better with you at the helm and will be devastated if corrupt Red Ken gets in. xx

Fabulous web chat

I like him. And I particularly liked how he responded to the Zombie and biscuit questions!

A lot has been debated and agreed about the need to encourage and promote cycling amongst Londoners. There has been broad agreement that more Londoners should be encouraged to take up cycling for commuting, for pleasure riding, and for health and fitness – in addition to the environmental benefits of substituting motorized transportation for pedal power.

It has been particularly argued that young people should be introduced to, and supported in, taking up cycling from early childhood so that cycling becomes integral to their lifestyles as future adult Londoners.

Indeed, so many of London’s numerous and beautiful parks offer such fantastic opportunities for introducing to children the pleasures of cycling, and for helping them learn to ride safely and confidently in a minimal-hazard environment.

And yet, ironically, parents who would like their little children to learn to ride in a safe environment as in a London park are unable to take their children and their children’s bicycles on London’s buses and tubes to reach most of these otherwise-suitable parks.

Having just purchased bicycles for my two children, aged 5 and 8, so we may, as a family, go cycling in the various parks and trails in London on the approaching summer weekends, I realize now that even on weekends, bicycles are generally not allowed on the tube network, except on a handful of inconvenient segments that anyway do not let one reach all the parks; certainly the tube station near our home does not allow boarding with bicycles (unless foldable), so we cannot even get on the network from home with our children and their two-wheelers.

This prohibition is definitely some remnant, unfounded rule - there is no reason why a family with little children as mine must have to ride on the vehicular streets of London in order to get to a park where they want to ride their bicycles in safety.

Arguments are always made where there is no motivation to make a difference, and safety is a versatile, catch-phrase argument to use.

Yes, safety of passengers is a genuine concern, and I can assure you no one wants safety compromised. But it cannot be argued that safety is compromised in other underground networks around the world where bicycle carriage is permitted (such as in San Francisco area in California). Nevertheless, safety is a far greater and more legitimate a concern in crowded (such as weekday) transit than on weekends, when most carriages are empty, and families want to take children’s cycles to parks.

Furthermore, some double buggies, cellos, and suitcases that passengers travel with on the tube (to or from Heathrow, for example) even on weekdays should be as much a concern for safety as bicycles. Why is there no restriction on any of those? Some children's bikes are much smaller than some of these large suitcases and cello cases people travel with on the tube!!

Let's think this through: what happens if there is an emergency situation and there is a need to evacuate? Bikes, just as suitcases, will need to be left behind - no matter whether the access is by lift or escalator.

Considering all of this, can you then, use your office, if elected, to bring about changes to the Conditions of Carriage that will serve as reasonable solutions toward furthering bicycle usage in London? For instance:

•Bicycles could be permitted only on weekends during certain ultra-non-peak hours (say before 9am, and between 4pm and 7pm)
•Bicycles could be permitted only in the last and the first carriage of the train, which are boarded from the far end of the platforms
•Bicycles could be permitted only at those tube stations that have an operating lift that the bicycles may be transported on
•Bicycles could only be permitted on the tube when travelling as a family, not as adults unaccompanied by children
•Buses could be fitted with bike racks as have been done in other cities with success (see pictures on the internet, from Seattle, USA, etc)

With these changes in rules, London will become much more cycle friendly to families, and we will be encouraging the internalization of a cycling culture in the next generations.

With these changes, my five year old, wishing to get across town to a park (where she'd want to ride her bike) would not need to ride her bike on the vehicular city roads all the way to the park because the safety of our roads is far from ideal for a child so young and inexperienced to ride on.

Please use your office to change the Conditions of Carriage to something more sensible and furthering of the good cause of family activities and cycle ridership.

Thank you in anticipation of a change for the better.

Erm... I think he's gone... And you might be a bit late with your rant question... By about 2 days...