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I'm typing this from the middle of the Garden Bridge on a beautiful sunny day and, as flights landing at the amazing Estuary Airport pass overhead, I can't help but agree with James.
Around me, off-duty police officers and fire fighters skip casually through the grass. With their levels of staffing left appropriate by the outgoing mayor, they aren't overstretched and can enjoy their leave.
When I'm done here, I plan to travel north to Watford.
I will take the Metropolitan line extension, graciously funded for Hertfordshire by the Mayor from TfL's budget.
He was able to do this because he didn't agree to George Osborne's plan to slash £800m from TfL's budget.
I will take the Metropolitan line extension, graciously funded for Hertfordshire by the Mayor from TfL's budget.
He was able to do this because he didn't agree to George Osborne's plan to slash £800m from TfL's budget.
It's a warm day, but this doesn't worry me. I can take a Boris bus to the nearest station. Beautifully air conditioned and with their permanent second member of staff, they are a joy to ride.
If I'm lucky there may be a wheelchair user on there who will laid their accessibility.
If I'm lucky there may be a wheelchair user on there who will laid their accessibility.
From the top deck of the bus, I catch a glimpse of six majestic watercannons, there to guard our liberty.
They are largely unnecessary although perfectly legal, because Boris' extensive efforts to deal with the housing shortage and homelessness mean there is no social inequality
They are largely unnecessary although perfectly legal, because Boris' extensive efforts to deal with the housing shortage and homelessness mean there is no social inequality
Sitting across from me is a 13 year old girl. She tells her dad that she wants to be a politician.
She talks of a school trip to the London Assembly to watch Mayors Question Time, where she watched Boris treat female AMs with basic human dignity and no sexism, as her inspiration
She talks of a school trip to the London Assembly to watch Mayors Question Time, where she watched Boris treat female AMs with basic human dignity and no sexism, as her inspiration
A pensioner, sitting behind me, asks if I remember the London riots.
"yes." I say. "Remember how Boris didn't hide abroad until they were over?"
She agrees.
"I liked how he used it as a warning to rebuild the social contract and community trust, not just grandstand on TV."
"yes." I say. "Remember how Boris didn't hide abroad until they were over?"
She agrees.
"I liked how he used it as a warning to rebuild the social contract and community trust, not just grandstand on TV."
Her friend next to her chips in.
"Remember how good he was at keeping his manifesto promises?" He says.
"Oh that was brilliant." I agree. "Like freezing fares and new rules to help the Black cab trade."
"Remember how good he was at keeping his manifesto promises?" He says.
"Oh that was brilliant." I agree. "Like freezing fares and new rules to help the Black cab trade."
"Don't forget that petition he signed and his pledge not to close Ticket Offices!" The first pensioner adds.
"Or how he met his campaign pledge not to go back to Parliament before his second term ended!" I add.
We agree Boris was great at keeping promises.
"Or how he met his campaign pledge not to go back to Parliament before his second term ended!" I add.
We agree Boris was great at keeping promises.
We discuss plans to build a second Cable Car.
"The first one is so full of commuters now it's a struggle to get between those two Jubilee line stations by air." One complains.
"We should build it." I agree. "It's not like the first was the most expensive by metre, in the world"
"The first one is so full of commuters now it's a struggle to get between those two Jubilee line stations by air." One complains.
"We should build it." I agree. "It's not like the first was the most expensive by metre, in the world"
As I get off the bus, I bump into a group of young people. They've just left one of London's thriving youth clubs
"What I loved about Boris was he fought to keep funding these." Says a youth. "He didn't just use his time in office to approve shiny towers over council objections"
"What I loved about Boris was he fought to keep funding these." Says a youth. "He didn't just use his time in office to approve shiny towers over council objections"
So yes.
As a journalist and someone who has reported extensively on London politics and transport for over fifteen years...
...I agree with James Cleverly.
(and if you believe THAT then Joanna Lumley has a bridge she'd like to sell you)
As a journalist and someone who has reported extensively on London politics and transport for over fifteen years...
...I agree with James Cleverly.
(and if you believe THAT then Joanna Lumley has a bridge she'd like to sell you)
Standard end of thread stuff:
My Political satire, The Brexit Adventures start here:
You can read my history bits here: medium.com/@garius
And you can read mine (and other people's) longform goodness about transport here: londonreconnections.com
My Political satire, The Brexit Adventures start here:
You can read my history bits here: medium.com/@garius
And you can read mine (and other people's) longform goodness about transport here: londonreconnections.com
Oh, and my latest Politics column is here, if anyone wants to read/hire me: medium.com/@garius/the-po…
