I’ve always known London as a strongly Labour city but at midnight tonight a new mayor takes his seat – Conservative candidate Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson. When it comes to politics I support the Conservative party more than I do any others. However, I really appreciated what Ken Livingstone, the previous mayor, had done to vastly improve the public transport system and city’s pollution levels. I am strangely disappointed yet astounded at the Conservatives’ 45% victory.
Johnson’s priorities include revisiting the controversial congestion charging (currently it costs £8 to drive in Central London, greatly reducing traffic and vehicle pollution) which I hope won’t be revoked, and making London safer – especially public transport – by reaching out to youths. See BBC Politics.
I only hope that Boris Johnson (can we call him BJ?!) can do as much for the city as Ken Livingstone did – I think it will require a lot of commitment and PR. From what I’ve heard he was well liked as MP in his previous city of Henley – let’s hope that London receives him just as well.