With less than two
weeks to go until London makes its decision, why I think Ken, and sanity, deserves
another chance.
I understand the
support for Boris in a kind of unhinged way. If you've ever seen Have
I Got News for you, chances are you think he's endearing, bumbling
and boyish. So is Hugo from the Vicar of Dibley but no one would hand
him the opportunity to directly affect the lives of 8 million people.
He's an upper class, deluded, 'in it for the publicity' attention
monkey – probably one who's father labelled him a buffoon, yes a
buffoon, and is now trying to prove him wrong. That's right, I said
it, Boris has daddy issues! I'm guessing. Probably.
Any how, yes, Ken's
time in office was overshadowed by broken promises, party flipping
and a series of ridiculous news reports about moments when his mouth
made a brief disconnect with his brain - But a man like Boris Johnson should not be throwing stones in glass houses - having offended his fair share of people, including but not limited to entire nations and vast sections of society. He's been sacked twice for lying, once from the shadow cabinet and once while he was working at The Times.
Flaws aside, Ken has done a great
deal for London and its only now that we see the true value.
The Congestion charge
for example. Sure, its unpopular with drivers but then what isn't.
One short drive through London and my dear old dad would point out
every grievance he could muster to think of, be it the speed bumps,
road works or the decibel level of the ambulances. Its title maybe
misleading. It's not so much a congestion charge, more a London Tax.
It hasn't reduced the traffic in London, nor the pollution levels but
what it has done is raise a lot of money for the city. Money that Mr
Boris doesn't want to use. When he scrapped the Western Extension of
the Charge at the end of 2010 it cost Londoners over £58M a year in
revenue – vital revenue that was keeping bus fares low for us
common folk. Still, Boris' fancy pants school mates in Kensington and
Chelsea were chuffed to bits.
And dare I say it, I
miss the Bendy buses. I will be the first to admit that when they
came out I was not happy – angry rants did ensue. I love double
deckers. I'm 24 years old and I still desperately want to go and sit
up-stairs and watch the city go by, especially when we're going into
the city proper. And there are things I miss about the old
Routemasters – mainly their windows that actually let in air during
the sticky London summer. But Bendy buses – well – they did what
no other bus in London can do. Give people space. Yes fare evasion
was a problem, but look at all the people employed to police it.
Notice the word employed – a state Boris thinks materialises merely
by willing to do so. He has no idea how
important the Bendy buses were to everyday life in central London. Neither did any of
us to be fair. Of course now they're gone we can see their true
value. Right after the Double Deckers came in on the 436 and 12 route
which I use often, I immediately noticed how full they always were.
They don't fit as many people – approximately 90 at full capacity
compared to the Bendy bus' upwards of 120 people. There's less space
for wheelchair users and pram users. Less seats can be accessed by
the elderly, heavily pregnant and those with children. Less space for
students with heavy books, artists with huge portfolios and musicians
with their instruments. I am none of these things at the moment, but
I am a Londoner who often gets on a bus loaded with shopping and the
absence of space downstairs is more than an inconvenience - it's often dangerous. The Bendy bus
was damn handy and I'm honestly quite sad they're gone now.
People see him as the mayor representing the suburban London, but he's not done all too much for them either. Traditionally conservative, suburban Londoners expect a tough on crime attitude. He was completely and utterly unprepared for last years riots and has reduced police numbers significantly - so much so that it's noticeable. He's even letting down the people he's supposed to be pandering to.
I guess the most
horrific thing about Boris Johnson though is his complete lack of
common sense. London is not a profit making company. There's no need
to hoard money. It's there to be spent in the City. To create jobs
and support for the community. Not like those people who impersonate
police officers but real support. Support that keeps teenagers in
education, helps single mothers raise their children in a safe and
happy environment, and keep fares low so that when people find work
they can afford to get to work.
Boris, its time to get
on your bike. Ken's not perfect, but he's the better man. Whoever you support this year, whether it's Ken, or Green candidate Jenny
Jones or any of the other Left candidates running this year – At the very least, give him your number 2. I mean second vote. You know
what I mean.
I support and encourage
everyone who can vote to vote on Thursday 3rd of May.
Exercise your Right to vote
now before your right to apathy becomes your obligation.
