Now some observers have suggested that Johnson has an ego the size of the city with which he is associated. Could it be that his idea was timed to cancel out a story in today’s Standard? The Conservative group on the GLA have published a report that suggests that Transport for London should be flogging off naming rights to stations and new lines. Johnson, of course, has previous in this regard, giving Londoners the Barclays Bikes and the Emirates Air Line. Crossrail is the biggest of them all.

Go to Paris, Berlin, New York, Washington DC and you’ll find the metro lines given numbers or named after colours. London is one of only a few cities that names its metro lines. The names are part of London folklore but I’m not sure we’re very good at it. I’m sure that creatively we can do better than the Queen Elizabeth Line (sorry Ma’am). Personally I’d like to see a London Transport hero honoured. If it didn’t sound too much like the Piccadilly line, I would propose the Frank Pick line. Or the Harry Beck line. Or should there be some kind of homage paid to the Pet Shop Boys who predicted the meeting of East End boys and West End girls? Any ideas?

Links: http://www.carolinepidgeon.org and http://www.greenwich-libdems.org.uk

Let us start with how many people will be on a bike in 2013. Between 2011 and 2012 the amount of cycling commuters on London’s already congested roads had risen by 9% making the number half a million cyclists a day. As you are reading this the Boris bikes scheme is in expansion and will be adding 2,000 more bikes and 265 more docking stations by next spring. This will bring the total number to over 10,000 bikes for hire in central London and spanning from Bow to Hammersmith. What do all these extra cyclists on the road mean to you? Well, if you drive a car it means added cost of time and aggravation due to the ignorance and stupidity of most cyclists. How is it that you have to pass a theory and practical exam, carry insurance for your vehicle as well as liability to be licensed to drive a car, and yet others are allowed to share the exact same road with you on another type of vehicle with wheels proceeding at many times to equal speeds of cars and no license, education, or insurance are required? Obviously literacy is not required either since packs of cyclists love to ride in lanes designated for cars other than the lanes that blatantly read with words and pictograms ‘cyclists’. Nothing thrills motorists more then trying to make their way home in rush hour traffic only to be slowed down by cyclists weaving in an out of cars, or to be stuck behind a pack of 20 bikes at any hour of the day and any day of the week (you can thank companies like Evan Cycles and their RideIt! twice monthly mass cycling ride for this) which make it impossible to overtake or get anywhere in a timely fashion. Beside all of this cyclists cost us and themselves life and safety with their ignorance of the rules of the road. Since living in London I have seen numerous collisions between bikes and cars/pedestrians. Another fun little fact that Matthew Beard of the London evening Standard shared on April 2, 2013 is that a bus-cyclist collision is recorded every other day in London. Somehow I don’t think it is the lori drivers fault since they too are required to have a license to be on the road. Now, show me the money!

Cycling is billed as the cost efficient way to travel saving you anywhere from hundreds to thousands of pounds (or dollars) a year. Well, don’t hold your breath, hold tight to your wallet instead. If you would like to save dosh by using a bike as your source of transportation then get ready to spend a lot of it. A commuter hybrid bike will cost you around 5OO GBP. It does not stop there. You will also need the protective gear which includes lights, helmets, and reflectives which raise the price to 700 quid. Of course, this is on the low end of the price range. So you say that you are not a designer diva and can settle for gear from a second-hand store as well as a pre-loved bicycle. You can find amazing bike bargins on sites like Gumtree.com however, your bargin purchase is costing twice as much since theft costs are incurred by the original owners of that bargin bike. Bike thefts for re-sale on internet websites are rampant. As a matter of fact my neighbours have been hit twice to find their stolen bikes on Gumtree, and that is just those who live down my hallway. There are those who prefer to rent a bike instead, and they will be looking at over 100 GBP a year not including the still present train and tube prices that are incurred by cyclists who commute to places too far away to ride to with weather permitting. By the way- I totally love it when I am on the train coming home from Heathrow airport and travellers take up two seats for themselves and their bike! So you say ‘to hell with it all, I don’t even ride a bike much less own one’. You are still going to pay out the nose. The Barclay’s/Boris bikes scheme is an expensive venture. It has only received 13.4 million GBP of the promised 50 million GBP by sponsor Barclay’s. Who is picking up the rest of the tab? You! These costs are transferred to the local councils which then filter down into your council taxes. The borough of Lambeth will be paying 200,000 GBP for this community treasure while Kensington/Chelsea will be expected to pay 400,000 GBP, Tower Hamlets 1.9 million GBP, and Hammersmith/Fulham 2 million GBP. Oh, and I forgot to add the costs which are incurred if you hit a cyclist whether or not it is you fault. One example of what you could be looking at is the 300,000 GBP claim one cyclist has against a motorist as reported by Miranda Bryant for the London Evening Standard. Like the famous song by The Doors: no one here gets out alive. . . or with any money for that matter!

As you see, no one escapes the costs of cyclists. What are we to do? First off, pass the costs of cycling onto those who cycle. Why should people incur higher council taxes for a service they do not partake in. If the councils need more money then why don’t they require cyclists to become educated and earn/pay for a biking license. This will not only raise much needed funds but increase safety for all those on the road. When a cyclist disobeys the rules of the road then they should be subject to the same ticketing standards that all others are subject to. I can only begin to dream of the cash that would roll in from cyclists being ticketed for committing such offences as running a red light. To those who cycle with fanaticism and the other kiss asses in government who hitch a ride to collect the cash that follows: you’ve been cut. Now I only wish it was acceptable for me to kick that leg out as you pass by and knock your ass to the ground.

This is a depressing prospect, so to lighten everyone’s days here are some rude anagrams of famous underground stops:

Spank Regret
Dampest Swathe
Swelling Needer
Enterer Warts
Torque Anuses
Scuba Horrors
Drains Glandes
Did-Long Boner
Oral Gesture Doc
Rocky Pre-Harden

First comment with all the correct answers wins a drawing of whatever you want.

The instinct of most ordinary British people is in favour of a moderate nationalism and the type of pragmatic combination of conservatism and social concerns that underlies the BNP policies.

UKiP pretends to be a real alternative to the main parties, but their most recently published immigration policy is similar to the Conservatives, based on ‘balanced migration’ it would permit immigration of 150,000 foreigners each year to ‘balance’ the 100,000 British who emigrate.

They see ‘no problem’ with Islam, despite the increasing proof of the hatred and contempt which many Muslims – even those born in Britain – have for Britain and non-Muslim British people.

The only industry UKiP cares about is the financial services industry, they would increase Britain’s unhealthy dependence upon The City, and the centralisation of England on London.

They are the party of the elite, not of ordinary people. They would reduce welfare to a minimum and continue the privatisation (or plundering, more accurately) of national assets which the main parties have carried out since Thatcher’s time.

UKiP has had the support of the media and big business, Farage has followed Tony Blair and Boris Johnson in coseying up to Rupert Murdoch, and has been rewarded with favourable press coverage.

Despite our better policies and closer connections with the concerns of ordinary people, the votes for change have mainly gone to UKiP, not to the BNP.

Related articles

• 57 Unite against Freedom – reds arrested – no BNP arrested. (xymalf.wordpress.com)
• UKIP Vs Labour Party (gordonlyew.wordpress.com)
• UKIP: how far from fascism? (shirazsocialist.wordpress.com)

Rallying support: Johnson will be back in action on the tennis court at Queen’s (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

Boris Johnson and Jonathan Ross will be among some of the stars taking to the courts of Queen’s Club this summer when they join Andy Murray and Tim Henman for a game on finals day at the Aegon Championships.

Sir Richard Branson, comedian Michael McIntyre and actor Eddie Redmayne will also be joining in the action for The Rally Against Cancer. This will follow the singles final, with a doubles match featuring Murray and Henman against Ivan Lendl and Tomas Berdych kicking it off.

After this, Murray and Henman will face each other, with the celebrities including the London Mayor as doubles partners.

The event on June 16 will raise money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, which supports The Royal Marsden – the world-leading cancer centre treating Ross Hutchins, the British Davis Cup player who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma last December.

MORE: I will be fit for Queen’s, says Murray

As part of the Rally Against Cancer, an additional £10 will be collected for each finals day ticket purchased and this will go directly to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. The Lawn Tennis Association, which owns the Aegon Championships, will contribute £10 for every ace hit during the tournament. 

Past champion: Murray will be hoping for more success at the Aegon Championships (PIcture: AP)

Johnson said: ‘I am delighted to have been invited to take part in the Rally Against Cancer at The Queen’s Club. It is a really good cause and one that I am honoured to support.

‘However, given the LTA’s generous decision to donate £10 for every ace served, I am concerned that their bank balance will look a little thin after I’ve finished with Mr Henman and Mr Murray!’

Branson said: ‘When news of Ross Hutchins’ illness broke, the tennis world were quick to react, reinforcing the strong community spirit the sport evokes.

‘I am more than happy to show my support for the Rally Against Cancer to raise money for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. I look forward to seeing you all on Centre Court!’

The Rally Against Cancer is scheduled to be screened on the BBC following the singles final.

The Aegon Championships takes place from June 10-16. For more information, go to www.aegonchampionships.com

Donations to Rally against Cancer can be made directly and at any time by going to www.justgiving.com/RallyAgainstCancer2013

Boris Johnson and Jonathan Ross will be among some of the stars taking to the courts of Queen’s Club this summer when they join Andy Murray and Tim Henman for a game on finals day at the Aegon Championships.

By Matthew Patten, CEO

Welcome, friends and supporters old and new, to our latest endeavour – an official blog site. Here you’ll find our news, our people and our views on the things that matter to us.

For our new friends, I’d like to briefly explain what it is we do.

The Mayor’s Fund for London is an official charity, which exists to give young Londoners the skills and opportunities to get a decent job, escape the threat of poverty and play a full part in London’s future as a world-class city.

Our work focuses on three priorities:

Health, Safety and Well-being - Helping young Londoners to be engaged, fit and motivated to learn

Skills - Extra support for core skills which employers say are absolutely essential, particularly numeracy and literacy

Employment - Supporting employers to create decent and sustainable career prospects for young Londoners

We’ve already achieved a lot. Hungry children in 50 London schools start the day healthy and ready to learn thanks to our breakfast clubs. Our literacy and numeracy projects are helping 2,000 young Londoners improve their reading and maths.  The next 12 months will see us find over 1500 decent jobs and opportunities for young Londoners as part of our Young London Working and Tech City Stars programmes.

But there’s always more to be done – so myself and all of the staff at the Mayor’s Fund hope you will support us, and the vital work that the Fund does.

Find out more at: http://www.mayorsfundforlondon.org.uk

And please use the form below to get in touch – we’d love to hear from you!

Following the summer riots in 2011, the Greater London Authority needed to provide a facility which would be used for community regeneration.

 

 

Multi use, multi application buildings… designed to adapt and perform!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The man and firm behind the deal is Xu Weiping, chairman of Advanced Business Park Holdings (ABP), a former engineer, then government worker originally from Zhejiang province. Xu even had a career in journalism, according to a lengthy biography on ABP’s website. In an attempt to downplay his role in an often vilified industry in China, the profile also says Xu “never considers himself a real estate tycoon”.

Indeed, ABP’s obscurity is the curious part about the deal. ABP is best, perhaps only, known for building a 15-million square foot (1.4 million sq m) business center for technology companies on the outskirts of Beijing called Zhongguancun, meant to be the ”Silicon Valley of Beijing”. The project, ABP’s first, raised questions about how Xu obtained rights to build such a massive project in Beijing despite having no history as a developer. The Royal Albert Dock is the firm’s first overseas project.

One explanation for the firm’s quick ascension could be close ties with the government, which is not unusual for businessmen in China but could be problematic given that London has billed ABP as a private company. Xu and the firm have said previously that they have good rapport with local authorities and top officials. The Financial Times reports that before going into real estate, Xu appears to have worked at the same government agency (paywall) as Wang Qishan, a top policymaker who now heads China’s party discipline operations, one of the most powerful government positions. He began building Zhongguancun in Beijing in 2003, the same year that Wang became mayor of the city, the paper points out.

ABP’s corporate structure is also somewhat mysterious. It has described itself as a foreign-funded joint venture between Dauphin International Group (England), which is registered in the UK, and a Beijing district government. But Chinese media have questioned those credentials, the FT says. ABP’s website lists Xu as executive director of Dauphin International in 2000 and says a project in northeastern China would be funded by the group. ABP did not respond to a request for comment and a phone number for an address listed under a Dauphin International in the UK was disconnected.

TELLING TALES IN LATIN: A New Latin Course and Storybook for Children, now available from Souvenir Press, teaches Latin through the magic of storytelling, using Soham De’s vivid illustrations to bring the stories to life.

Narrated by the chatty and imaginative Roman poet Ovid, this new course takes young learners on a journey through some of the tales from Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Along the way, they pick up Latin words and grammar, explore the connections between Latin and English and discover how Ovid’s stories still speak to us today. The book features all the vocabulary and grammar needed for the OCR entry level Latin qualification. It is already attracting a lot of advance praise and support, including Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, who is a keen supporter of the teaching of Latin in schools.

“Yet again Lorna Robinson has come up with a wonderful way of getting us to read and love Latin. Not to be missed!” – Boris Johnson, Mayor of London

This is the ideal first introduction to Latin for primary school children, packed with colourful, original illustrations to bring the subject to life. Latin has been found to help children with their literacy, and with learning foreign languages, so the benefits of this Latin course are manifold.

Author Lorna Robinson is the founder of The Iris Project, a charity dedicated to bringing classical culture and languages into the curriculum for all schools, not just those in more privileged areas. The Iris Project’s Literacy Through Latin project has been shortlisted for the 2013 European Language Label for Innovative Projects in language teaching and learning.

TELLING TALES IN LATIN is now available in paperback and as an e-book.

West End LIVE returns to Trafalgar Square for a weekend of free entertainment from top London shows

The annual festival West End LIVE – organised by Westminster City Council and the Society of London Theatre, in association with MasterCard – returns to Trafalgar Square 22 and 23 June 2013 for a weekend of free entertainment from some of London’s top theatre productions and performers.

Now in its 9^th year, West End LIVE is the largest event of its type in the UK and the stage is set for another record breaking weekend as large crowds are expected to gather for special live performances from West End favourites Billy Elliot The Musical, Horrible Histories, Jersey Boys, Disney’s The Lion King, Mamma Mia!, Matilda The Musical, Les Misérables, Monty Python’s Spamalot, The Phantom of the Opera, Stomp, Thriller Live, Top Hat, War Horse, We Will Rock You, and Wicked appearing alongside newcomers Burn The Floor, The Bodyguard, A Chorus Line, The Color Purple, Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage, From Here to Eternity, The Golden Voice, High Society, Let It Be, Limbo, Merrily We Roll Along, Once: A New Musical, Peter Pan: Never Ending Story, The Showstoppers and The Sound Of Music.

The event, which attracted over half a million people last year, is free and takes place in the iconic setting of Trafalgar Square on Saturday 22 June 2012, 11am – 6pm and Sunday 23 June 2013, 12pm – 6pm.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson, said: “West End LIVE brings the roar of the greasepaint to the heart of the capital and all for free. From curtain up, to the encore, London Theatreland is unbeatable and this is a fabulous way to sample some of the most exciting shows to be seen anywhere in the world.”

Cllr Robert Davis, deputy leader of Westminster City Council, said: ““This will be the largest West End LIVE we have ever produced – with more shows taking part than ever before. From humble beginnings in Leicester Square nine years ago, our event now attracts hundreds of thousands of people from across London, the rest of the UK and from around the globe. We cannot wait to get the weekend started and showcase exactly what the West End of London has to offer – the best art, musicals and theatre in the world.”

Julian Bird, Chief Executive of the Society of London Theatre, said: “Theatre is one of the capital’s greatest draws with an international reputation for offering world-class entertainment, and West End LIVE is a chance to showcase the quality and range of shows the London stage has to offer as well as putting on a great free event for the public to enjoy.”

For more information visit the West End LIVE website www.westendlive.co.uk, and for the latest news and chat visit www.facebook.com/westendlive and Twitter @WestEndLIVE

For all the latest information on West End theatre, and to book tickets for the shows participating in West End LIVE, visit www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk .

Cycling conditions on the Westway

Question No: 1373 / 2013

Darren Johnson

A constituent who was once diverted to cycle along the Westway during a bomb scare reports that high winds and traffic noise made cycling on it an unpleasant experience. Will TfL therefore be mitigating these problems by erecting sound barriers and wind shields when the proposed Westway cycle way is implemented?

Written response from the Mayor

The issues you raise are being considered as part of the engineering and design studies into this route. Further information will be available in due course.

This is a good question, and I am so glad that I am not the first person to ask it.  I am probably not the ideal person to pronounce on the proposed two-way, segregated cycle path that is to be built on the elevated section of the M40 motorway between White City and central London, otherwise known as the Westway. I suffer from acoraphobia, which is an irrational fear of falling off things, and it becomes especially pronounced when cycling across bridges.  Even allowing for this irrational fear, I don’t find the prospect of using this proposed lane appealing at all, and that’s not only my inbred prejudice against west London.

I’m sure the lane will be objectively safe, as it will be separated from the motorway by a substantial lump of concrete, but I’ll be surprised if it’s pleasant.  One will, after all, be riding along a concrete gulley, exposed to the elements, with motor-traffic rumbling past at 40+ mph.  Ok, there will be times when the traffic will be stationary, but row upon row of stationary cars, engines idling, is little more appealing for reasons that I won’t need to spell out for anyone that has ridden along Euston Road in rush hour.  Is it just Darren’s constituent and me that find the proposed lane to be not altogether enticing?

The state-of-the-art business district at Royal Albert Dock will act as a platform for financial, high-tech and knowledge driven industries, and will be largest development of its kind in the UK.

It is set to become the third financial district in the capital after the City and Canary Wharf, creating tens of thousands of jobs.

Owned by the Greater London Authority the 35-acre site will be transformed by commercial developer ABP Chinese (Holding) into a gateway for Asian and Chinese business seeking to establish headquarters in Europe, along with other businesses wanting to set up in the capital.

The deal is believed to be worth £6bn to the UK economy, generating £23m in business rates annually and acting as a catalyst for further development in the area.

Mr Johnson said: “For centuries the waterways of east London were the throbbing arteries of UK trade and commerce. This deal symbolises the revival of that great era, continuing the re-invention of this once maligned part of the capital into a 21st century centre of trade and investment.”

The deal is expected to deliver around 20,000 full-time jobs and boost local employment in Newham by 30 per cent.

Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales, said: “The Royal Docks Enterprise Zone offers an unrivalled investment opportunity and this deal further strengthens Newham’s growing reputation as an ideal destination for international business.”

The deal represents one of the first direct investment by a Chinese developer in London’s property market.

Chairman of ABP, Mr Xu, said: “My vision is to develop a world class international business district which will initially target Asian businesses to help them secure a destination in London, which in China is seen as the gateway to both the United Kingdom and the wider European economy. Our plans aim to strengthen trade between east and west, provide new local jobs and deliver benefits for the wider London and UK economy.”

The area will become home to over 3.2 million square feet of high quality work, retail and leisure space, including 2.5 million square feet of prime office space along London’s waterways.”

via Royal Albert Dock set to become London’s third business district under £1bn deal – Politics – London24.

See also: 
http://chindia-alert.org/2012/02/13/pattern-of-chinese-overseas-investments/

Well, now we know. London’s Mayor Boris Johnson is staying loyal to PM David Cameron and is confident in his, Cameron’s that is, victory in the 2015 general election.

On the Internet people are asking for the truth in former 10 Downing Street about what the director of communications Andy Coulson thinks about Boris and Dave and his own struggle to be Tory leader and prime minister. The track record of Boris messing up his jobs and he was no great editor of The Spectator.

In today’s entry over on Stirring Trouble Internationally there are reflections about Ken Livingstone who was then deeply unpopular and if any other Tory would have stood against Red Ken the result would have been the same.

He needs the Conservative party machine to be behind him. Otherwise this whole myth of Boris The Great will fall apart in a day.

Stirring Trouble Internationally ‘…Boris Swears His Loyalty To Dave. But Doesn’t Mean It Really…’

[View the story "Boris Swears His Loyalty To Dave. But Doesn’t Mean It Really" on Storify]

• Boris Swears His Loyalty To Dave. But Doesn’t Mean It Really (stirringtroubleinternationally.com)
• Boris Johnson ‘is desperate to be Prime Minister’ (mirror.co.uk)
• Andy Coulson: Boris Johnson wants to be PM – and David Cameron knows it (guardian.co.uk)
• Boris Johnson rejects Andy Coulson’s claims and says he’s backing David Cameron all the way (independent.co.uk)
• Boris Johnson: Of course I don’t want David Cameron to fail miserably (telegraph.co.uk)
• Boris: I’m not after PM’s job (thesun.co.uk)

Another Mobile Bar Hire Video, in this video Mayor Of London Boris Johnson cam to the Mobile Bar Hire Offices

Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales has announced plans for a £1 billion state-of-the-art business district in the historic Royal Docks, which will create 20,000 jobs and secure billions of pounds of inward investment.

Sir Robin and Boris Johnson, Mayor of London revealed details of the deal with commercial developer ABP Chinese to transform a 35-acre site at Royal Albert Dock. ABP see it as a gateway for Asian and Chinese business looking to establish headquarters in Europe.

The deal with ABP will strengthen the Royal Docks as an emerging international commercial and trading centre, which complements the world-class transport and digital infrastructure Newham Council and others have invested in.

Boris Johnson said: “For centuries the waterways of east London were the throbbing arteries of UK trade and commerce. This deal symbolises the revival of that great era, continuing the reinvention this once maligned part of the capital into a 21st century centre of trade and investment.

“Creating a third financial district in the capital, this development will act as a beacon for eastern investors looking west, bringing with it tens of thousands of jobs and billions of pounds of investment for the UK economy.”

The proposals will deliver 20,000 full-time jobs and boost local employment by 30 per cent, becoming London’s third business district.

According to initial projections it will be worth £6 billion to the UK economy, generating £23 million in business rates annually and act as a catalyst for further development in the area.

Sir Robin Wales said: “This proposal will bring further investment from abroad and unlock future development. It will also create benefits for local people by providing thousands of new jobs and further enhance the waterfront. With a young, energetic workforce, Newham is ideally placed to accommodate much of London’s eastwards growth in the 21st century.”
Working with UK developer Stanhope and architects and masterplanners Farrells, ABP have committed to developing 600,000 square feet in the first phase. With strong interest for office space already being shown by Chinese companies, including some of the country’s top banks, the first occupiers are expected in 2017.

The deal represents one of the first direct investments by a Chinese developer in London’s property market. The new business district will eventually be home to more than 3.2 million square feet of high quality work, retail and leisure space, including 2.5 million square feet of prime office space, creating a vibrant 24/7 destination on London’s waterways.

Boris Johnson has been asked by David Cameron to stop moving his belongings into number 10  and at least wait until a leadership contest according to Government sources. It’s thought that ever since he was turned away from Downing street 6 months ago after arriving with several removal lorries, he has been attempting to move himself in, a little bit at a time.

A source close to the Prime Minster told us “It’s been going on for weeks. Boris turned up at a meeting with a toothbrush and a wash bag just in case things carried on into the night. This is quite common practice and aroused no suspicion, but the next time he turned up with a book case and the time after that with a fitted kitchen. It’s got to the point that David’s scared to open his front door in case Boris barges in with a box.”

A friend of the Cameron family echoed the same concerns “It’s got even worse recently. New ornaments have been appearing on mantelpieces and David isn’t entirely sure that Boris isn’t actually living somewhere in number 10 already. He’s already twice caught Boris changing the television channel from behind the sofa using his own remote control. It seems that he  prefers Emmerdale whereas David would rather watch the One show.”

The Mayor of London has however denied any intention of moving into number 10  insisting that his recent comings and goings with boxes of household items are simply part of an ongoing  Eton College game of ‘hide the sausage’.   Played only in privileged circles, the rules of hide the sausage can seem complex and unclear to outsiders, and games can span over several decades before a winner is announced.

Brushing off talk of an imminent leadership bid Mr Johnson told us “The whole things bally ridiculous.  I’m just a big soppy jingoistic sheep dog.  And I’m 100% behind David Cameron. He has my full support whatever career he moves on to do.”