Mait001" wrote in message
...
Although I despise Ken and everything he stands for (except his failed
attempt
to prevent privatisation of the Underground), credit where credit is due:
his
sheer stickability and tenacity has to be admired. He will probably win
the
next elections by sheer stealth - even a dyed-in-the-wool Tory like me
wouldn't
touch Steven Norris with a barge pole!


I'm intrigued. Livingstone stands for improving public transport. You claim
to be a railway enthusiast so by extension more pro public transport in
general than anti. Why are you against Livingstone's efforts to improve
public transport?



I am in favour of whatever attempts there are to improve public transport - as
I made clear in saying that I supported Ken's attempts to prevent Underground
privatisation.

As for other plans, I oppose congestion charging on principle (I pay taexes to
drive on The Queen's Highway and fundamentally object to paying Ken for the
right to do so), but do support generally public transport improvements. And, I
credit Ken, from his G.L.C. days, with introducing the Travelcard, which is
superb. The Oyster I don't even understand, however, and one-day tickets (which
I need to buy because my travel varies from day to day and at short notice)
aren't even included.

Ken said he'd keep the Routemaster: that was a lie, and within 6 months or so,
there will be none left. I think articulated buses in crowded streets are a
crazy idea.

But my fundamental objection to Ken is all the other panoply of Left-wing
nonsense he foisted (as G.L.C. Leader) and now foists on us, such as his
ridiculous event held during Bush's State Visit, and all the other minority
groups he funded and funds. As someone who remembers the bad old days of the
G.L.C. and I.L.E.A., I find it ironic that Ken has any responsibility for the
Police whatseover - in those days the Police were forbidden from entering
I.L.E.A. schools because they were seen as Right-wing forces of capitalism
which were in danger of corrupting young minds against the forces of good (i.e.
the G.L.C. and I.L.E.A.).

In fact I fundamentally object to having a Mayor at all. We don't need one, or
an Assembly. An overall director of transport strategy etc., with an elected
transport authority if necessary, yes, but not all of the surrounding panoply
housed in that monstrously ugly building near Tower Bridge.

Marc.