Boris Johnson webchat, TODAY, Mon 16 Apr, 11.30am-12.30pm

[FrancesMumsnet]

In the run up to the London Mayoral elections in May, we're very pleased to announce that Boris Johnson will be joining us for a webchat on Monday 16th April from 11.30am to 12.30pm. In May 2008, Boris was elected the first Conservative Mayor of London. He was the MP for Henley-on-Thames from 2001 to 2007, and held the posts of Vice Chairman, Shadow Minister for the Arts and Shadow Minister of Higher Education.

Do please join us for the webchat. Boris is keen to hear your views and to answer your questions. As ever, if you can't make it, please post up your advance questions here.
Thanks, MNHQ

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?

@chibi

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?

What sets London apart from other mega-cities of the world is that we do not accept a wide gap between rich and poor as the price of progress. Sadly, it would be blinkered to think that it doesnt exist of course it does. Sadly, it would be blinkered to think that it doesn't exist - of course it does.
So I have worked to expand the number of companies who pay the London Living Wage - the 'real' wage at which you need to afford to live in this city. More than 100 London employers have now signed up to pay their staff at least £8.30 per hour - there were 27 when I was elected. This includes nearly all major banks, law firms and the GLA itself - benefitting over 3,000 people.

I have also maintained half price travel on the buses for those seeking work, and if elected I will introduce a 30% travel discount for those in apprenticeships.

But the biggest thing I can do is to grow London's economy so ordinary Londoners have better access to better paid jobs. We can only do this by investing. Some argue that we should cut back investment, but I think that would be disastrous for the city. Through the investments in transport, housing and local high streets, City Hall can create 200,000 jobs directly. By upgrading our transport system and making the city a more pleasant place to live, we can attract major international companies who bring with them shed loads of jobs.

Finally, the only way we can make our transport system cheaper to use is to make it cheaper to run ? that requires doing things like replacing signal boxes that are, in some cases, over 50 years old and looking seriously at driverless (but not unstaffed) trains.

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.

@Lily253

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?

Yes Lily253 and all who have asked...In an ideal world i would not have been stuck on a family caravan holiday 300 miles from the nearest airport. But as soon as I was back we got the situation under control in a way that was exemplary and a credit to British policing ...and I didn't sit around blaming the cuts. I visited every area that had been affected several times and we got 1 the high street fund for immediate help 2 specific funds for Croydon and Tottenham and 3 general funds for regeneration

I dont believe the riots will happen again because (a) the criminal justice system has responded in a pretty robust way and (b) because we have all been given a huge wake up call to deal with the underlying causes

@LineRunner

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 do understand how tough things are and I do sympathise very much. The best thing I can do is to use all my influence to ease the burdens on Londoners ? freezing the council tax, expanding the London Living Wage (which has been taken up by far more firms under this Mayoralty than during the previous 8 years) and fighting for the funds from government that will generate jobs and growth. I want every child in this city to have an equal chance of succeeding, and it is an utter scandal that one in four 11 year olds is still illiterate. In the next four years we want to turn that round ? and we are beginning with the seven poorest boroughs in London.

You mrntion your PhD. 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.

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?

@WelshCerys

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?

Yes. I think one of the biggest mistakes previous generations made was to sacrifice quality for quantity in social housing. It is unacceptable that in the 21st century thousands of Londoners are forced to live in sub-standard homes. That?s why I successfully lobbied the Government to invest £821m to bring council homes in 14 boroughs up to scratch.

Some of the capital?s poorest council tenants, currently living in some of the worst housing conditions in the country, will now see their homes brought up to the national Decent Homes standard. I expect that to make a big difference.

I have also introduced tougher space and quality standards for new social housing. It means that developers will be required to make accommodation bigger, provide more family sized homes and access to green space. If elected, I will continue to insist on these standards being met.

@MissBeehivingUnderTheMistletoe

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

Alas I haven?t had the time yet to watch ?but I will watch out for Iggle Piggle and see if you are right

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 hello Boris!

@ehlittleone

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.

I am so sorry to hear that and would be grateful if you could give us details of the whereabouts so we can take it up w the local police. Of course I can tell you that robbery is down but appreciate that is no earthly consolation. What we need is not just more police out there - and I guarantee the funding to deliver that.

We also need more diversionary activities - and that is why we are doing to much to support activities for young people, through Team London, and through the uniformed youth groups such as the cadets and others.

But frankly we also need some of these kids to face a more serious deterrent. That is why we launched the 10000-officer anti-gang strategy last month, and in my new crime manifesto we are setting up a sentencing unit for London, to make sure that the punishment fits the crime.

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

@OneOfMyTurnsComingOn

Boris, why aren't you PM?

Because being Mayor is the most important job I?ll ever do. This election comes at a critical time for London, and the decisions we make will determine whether this city thrives or declines. I have built half a bridge, and I can see the other side and what needs to be done. Being Mayor is such an honour, why would a politician want any other job?

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?

@poppyseeds99

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'?

Dear Poppyseed

after four years of doing this job i have no doubt that Londoners frankly dont give a monkey's about your background. All they want to know is that you love the city and that you have the right ideas to take London forward. I think my 9 point plan for London is about as forward looking and progressive an agenda as you could devise

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, Show us your playfull side

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?

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?