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Capital plans laid out in London mayoral TV debate

23/04/2008

Ken Livingstone has clashed with the main challengers to replace him as mayor of London during a live television debate.

Mr Livingstone, bidding for a third term in City Hall, said his administration had cut crime and antisocial behaviour in the capital.

Conservative and Liberal Democrat candidates Boris Johnson and Brian Paddick attacked the mayor over his record on sleaze and affordable housing.

But Mr Livingstone, speaking during the London Mayor Debate on ITV1 last night, said he had built City Hall "up from scratch" during the last eight years.

The city's bus network had been transformed, he claimed, and he highlighted the way in which he dealt with the "highs and lows" of winning the 2012 Olympics and the consequences of the July 7th terror attacks.

"I have delivered action and not just words; there are 10,000 extra uniformed officers in service in London today because I went out, I raised the budget, we got those police on the streets and crime is now falling for the fifth year in succession."

Mr Johnson, who according to the latest opinion poll holds a seven-point lead over Mr Livingstone, retorted: "London needs a new mayor because the present administration is tired and stale and mired in sleaze."

The Conservative MP said Mr Livingstone's administration was at odds with his own "energy and honesty and fresh thinking" and pledged to deliver "taxpayer value".

Former Metropolitan police assistant commissioner Mr Paddick argued he was in tune with Londoners' "number one" priority of crime.

"Doesn't it make sense, therefore, to vote for the candidate that knows most about crime and what to do about it?," he claimed.

"If we are talking about political rallies in Trafalgar Square, or quiz shows, you might want to vote for the others. But you should vote for me because I am the expert on crime."

Mr Livingstone also used the debate to draw light to his record on tackling antisocial behaviour.

He pointed to a network of 21 policy community support officers (PCSO) teams operating under senior police officers.

"The result? A ten per cent cut in crime and antisocial behaviour," the mayor said.

"This year we are rolling out another 11 in the boroughs of inner London."

Mr Johnson explained he would divert money away from promoting the mayor's office towards getting PCSOs on buses.

"We are going to use those officers and beefed-up powers to the revenue protection inspectors systematically to take away the privilege of free travel from the minority who are abusing it," he added.

On affordable housing in the capital, Mr Livingstone said he was planning the biggest housing programme in the city since the 1970s.

Mr Johnson said the majority of mortgage holders were facing a task of "Everest"-like proportions, while Mr Paddick said London's rental market would be his focus if elected mayor.