Planning
There should be special planning designation for the Thames riverside from Tilbury to Teddington. It’s too late in some cases (for instance the terrible stretch of post-modern blocks on the Wandsworth side of the river), but we can still save much of what should be the city's sparkling centrepiece, its riverfront.
Across London rapacious property developers are tearing down our world-famous pubs and closing our iconic music venues to build flats for quick profit. This could be the death knell for London's creative industries, as so much of our music, comedy, cabaret and theatre is produced in these venues.
The Mayor has the power to overrule planning permission given at borough level and should use it.
Or, if we are really serious, establish Grade 2 listing status for all Victorian pubs in the Greater London area; abolish the music licence for all London pubs, so that live music and new talent can flourish; provide refurbishment grants for struggling pubs that need to keep in line with Health and Safety legislation and, finally, scrap business tax on independent pubs.
We propose that existing homeowners cannot buy any new property built in London.
Make central London a truly 24-hour city – it is still impossible to get a civilised drink in the West End after 11pm and even if you could you wouldn't be able to get a train or tube home afterwards.
Preserve famous London shopping streets and areas to prevent them from being cloned by westernised capitalist retailers. For example, the Kings Road used to be unique; now it's full of the same shops found on every high street... Starbucks, Boots, Pret, Marks and Spencer. How long before they move into Brick Lane?
Reintroduce water fountains on street corners. This could be a new, exciting, modern design, which is cooled by solar power, self-cleans and becomes an iconic part of London street furniture. It would also advertise the deliciousness of London water to tourists and reduce the use of plastic bottles.
What do you think? Give us your feedback
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28 comments
Fine anyone who describes a football team as "we", unless they can prove they're
an employee of the club - be they team coach or turnstile operator.
Set up a licensing scheme for fans. When you can prove you've seen 100 games,
you become an accredited fan. You get a bronze medal for 200, silver for 250,
and gold for 500. Then you can also apply, to a scrutinisng committee, for
permission to begin appropriating a football team's achievements as your own.
The 'we' license won't come cheaply, however.
Meanwhile, pass a new law, under which anyone wandering the streets in a replica
football shirt, can be lawfully tackled, from behind, by any member of the public.
Similarly, no-one is allowed to pass comment on the efforts of any entertainer,
unless they've been boo-ed off at the Comedy Store (as I have) or had people
seek you out, and make a special effort to say to you "You were shit mate".
Then, and only then, can you treat us to your thoughts on comedy and drama
(under my new proposed Bill).
Are either of these laws any use?
let Hodges be Mayor
I really wish you'd managed to spell there correctly..."why is *there* dog shit everywhere."
Dog licenses are not the answer. The Mayor and/or Councils should fund free training for all ages in dog care. People do not understand how dogs think and therefore how to show dogs what behaviour they want from them. The training would of course include teaching people to clean up after their animals.
"The mayor has a good record on diversity"
Are you kidding? I suppose he does if by that you mean siphoning money off to politically correct front organisations who campaign for his re-election. I suppose he also has a good record on employing people in £100,000 per year non-jobs at the tax-payers' expense because they're his supporters.
City Hall needs cutting down to size, and the "diversity" gravy train would be a good place to start.
To promote green issues and raise the spirits of south london commuters MH must make a commitment to travel to work by bicycle dressed in lycra.
The Mayor has funded extra police officers for buses. I don't understand how putting a conductor (someone who is not a law-enforcement officer) on every bus, nearly doubling the staffing costs and thus reducing expenditure on bus policing can help reduce crime!
Thank the stars someone with a brain and with the interests of Londoners at heart is prepared to stand up to that detestable professional buffoon Johnson and that publicity-hungry berk Livingstone.
If I hadn't left London, I'd be voting, supporting and possibly even stumping up. But I have...
Good luck.
I hope this is nothing to do with me retiring.
1) You should introduce an indigestion charge
2) London is not even the most important city in England, never mind the World.
3) My wife says that if you get more than 20 votes we are leaving the city. And if that's not a vote-winner for you, I don't know what is...
Please get real with your housing manifesto. All under-occupied dwellings to be reclaimed (singletons who have traded up and snaggled family homes), including all second homes. No compensation. Realistic, longer tenancies with rent caps - by law. 'London weighting' reintroduced and enforced, and tied to property prices.
I feel it's a bit harsh to only single out aggressive young men for comment in your social issues section, what about the aggressive young women?
I totally agree with your transport policy - however, I think there is a chance that Ken would move in hat direction - I don't think the others would