To Mayor and London Assembly Question Time in Camden this evening, which proved rather livelier, and less bogged down in political pointscoring than I expected, with the notable exception of Caroline (did-I-mention-the Lib-Dems) Pidgeon. It was also surprising (or not) that somehow while everyone else’s microphone went on and off, Boris Johnson’s was perpetually on, allowing him to butt in whenever he wanted.
On the proposed UKCMRI medical lab in Somers Town, was pleased to hear Brian Coleman publicly repeat his opposition, but very disappointed by Jennette Arnold’s backing for it (definitely a letter heading her way) – seems like she’s swallowed the Gordon Brown line.
The mayor, probably reasonably enough, was not commenting on development applications on which he might have to rule, a point made before the UKCMRI question.
Other notable points/questions:
* Jenny Jones: “anyone who thinks we are going to have the same number of police numbers [after the cuts] is barking mad.” She also noted that the Tory-LibDem coalition was planning to abolish the Police Authority, with “something puny being put in its place”. To save money Jenny suggested that the Territorial Support Group would be cut by half and the number of press officers (“a scandal” at 72) be reduced.
* Boris Johnson had a tough time (rightly) on the closure of Tube ticket officers and the reduction in safety staff – he apparently signed a pledge not to cut ticket office hours before the election. On this, as on many other questions, he simply warbled on a bit without substantive answer.
* Shahrar Ali got possibly the strongest round of applause of the night for a question on the closure of Tube lines for works, particularly at weekends, asking for at a minimum transparency about what is being done and why. “God help you if you happen to live and work in Brent and need to get out.”
* A question on when London cycle hire bikes would get to Kentish Town was also popular – Boris appeared to be mixing Kentish Town and Highgate when he suggested North London was too hilly for the scheme. (In fact he suggested expansion east and west would come before the north, if the last happened at all.)
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