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Now if there is one issue that could explode onto the arena of the GLA election on the 3rd of May, is if all the talk of war actually results in a pre-emptive strike against Iran before the date of the election.
Having been elected on the London Assembly for the first time in 2004, where by far the dominant issue was the Iraq war at the time, we have already seen in the short life of the GLA how a global issue can dominant an essentially London election about issues like transport fares, policing of London and building more housing. Then it cost labour 2 seats in the London Assembly and l only just got in myself on the night, while Ken was against the intervention in Iraq got back in with reasonable margin of comfort.
Interestingly while some in the press like the Telegraph have highlight the significance of the Obama & Netanyahu meeting earlier in the week, others like the Economist have been alot more caution. Its leader last week suggested the case for the wars success is hard to make. If Iran is intent in getting a bomb, an attack would delay but not stop it. Indeed, using Western bombs as a tool to prevent nuclear proliferation risks making Iran more determined to build a weapon – and more dangerous when it gets one. While the ES suggested last night that diplomacy has along way to go yet, advising Cameron to use his influence on Obama on this front.
So what do are present mayoral candidates say about this all? Interestingly the present Mayor, Boris Johnson did write a column in the Telegraph with the header” We must not let Bush wage war against Iran” which says it all. So I reckon the question now would be whether he would say the same thing about Benjamin Netanyha. Logic tells us that by the same token he should be saying ” We must not let Netanyahu wage war against Iran “ but as we know there is nothing logical about the present incumbent of the Mayor of London! While with Ken we can expect him to say something in line with his previous sentiments on Iraq war on any further intervention in Iran. And as Phillip Stephens says in the FT very well today in his article, Don’t play politics with the bomb. He says instead of banging drum for war, Mr Netanyahu should be making peace with Palestinians. Clearly while it might not yet be dominating the London elections, its clearly dominating the pages of our broadsheets and thats no bad thing at all, as we hear warnings against any pre-emptive strike.
March 9, 2012
At thursday’s Environment Committee we got an update on the drought situation from both Thames Water and the Environment Agency. It was appriopriate that we started the meeting with this item given we were discussing future environmental priorities for Londoners, as l can not see anything more urgent then the water running out from the mains!
The diagram above really tells the story of below average rainfall for the past two years in Greater London and immediately beyond in the South-East as well, with only 6 months of above average rainfall since January 2010. While the remaining 18 months do not just show less average rainfall but considerably less. So this problem has been building up for sometime and highly unlikely we’ll have the same equivalent amount of rain during the spring to avert a drought during the summer.
This also follows a recent site visit to Beckton where we saw the desalination plant ( also known as the Thames gateway Water Treatment Works) first-hand which will undoubtedly kick in during the forthcoming summer season to provide up to 7 per cent of the short fall of water anticipated we were informed by Thames Water. If we don’t see some major rains over the spring, hosepipe bans by water authorities will almost certainly be applied. As well as a major communications strategy to inform us to consumer less water when we wash ourselves, use the toilet more efficiently & making sure our washing machines are fully loaded, as some of the measures we can take in individual households. But lets not forget that water companies like Thames Water need also to deal more effectively with water leakages in their upgrading of the system under the streets of London. Where we have seen some problems not just in terms of the road works and its impact on keeping London moving but incredibly the regulator OFWAT not permitting them to undertake the works required.
And finally we will no doubt hear further arguments for the metering of water and major initiatives like moving water from the North down to the South. So water issues are likely to dominate the environment agenda in London for now.
March 3, 2012
Bangladesh electorate have photo id to minimise potential for fraud
Last week and in anticipation of the forthcoming Mayoral elections in London on the 3rd of May, the Evening Standard exposed potential electoral fraud in Tower Hamlets. Although not overtly, the piece is a slur on the Bangladeshi voter.
However, the high levels of voter turnout amongst the Bangladeshi community, both here in the UK and back in the ancestral home establish them as keen voters, anxious to exercise their democratic right. Unlike many western electorates, voter apathy is not a problem amongst this group of voters. Furthermore, if we look to Bangladesh, the potential for voter fraud is also much less. For example, at the last general election in Bangladesh in 2008, we saw the use of an electronic photo ID electoral register, like the one shown above. This shows the voter’s name, address and most importantly a photograph of them. By all accounts, that election was viewed as fair and well run by all observers including many from abroad. Given voters can be identified with their photo in Bangladesh, you’d think this was something that would be taken up here as well. So let’s see the Electoral Commission introduce something similar in the UK with an electronic photo ID electoral register.
While we’re at it, why not also consider starting the count at the polling station. Instead of waiting for the polls to shut and then have the customary race to count, another improvement to the system would be to allow counting to start there at the polling stations. Most people, probably including candidates themselves, lose the will to stay up until the very small hours to hear the election results in local, general & regional elections. The late declarations also detract from the momentum of the result as people start a new day before discovering the outcome of their vote. Again this is something which is practiced in other parts of the world and could well be an improvement to our system here. Perhaps then, we have more to learn about voting amongst the Bangladeshi community then it’s being suggested. And the mother of democracies should get use to the idea of learning a few things from other parts of the world.
February 27, 2012
Opening welcome from myself at Comedy gig for Show Racism the Red Card
After a successful evening of stand-up comedy against Racism at City Hall immediately after the Saurez belated apologises on the 13th of Feb, l came away from the event feeling that we need to pinch the issue at its source on the pitch itself.
In recent times, campaigns like Show Racism the Red Card have dealt well with racism in all its forms on the terraces, outside stadiums as well and all its forms old and new like islamophobia & anti-semitism. But recent incidents on the pitch between players tell us its still a very live issue in the dressing room as well. So we can never be complacent about tackling racism, even after the huge progress thats been made in football since the 1980′s.
But with the splat of incidents between players l do think our referees need to deal with it at source, when at earshot of racist remarks, with an immediate red card. Referees may very well have these powers already but we need to see them used and them given very clear instructions by the FA that in such instances the refs will be supported by them.
I well appreciate that refs have got a difficult enough job anyway but my instinct tells me that the biggest sanction against players making racist comments on the pitch would be letting their own team down on the field of play. All the fines, apologises and bans afterwards don’t have the same impact is that to a player.
So l trust that at the summit at Downing Street, showing racism the red card on the field of play, the pitch itself, is a measure thats agreed and acted on immediately.
February 22, 2012
Removed railings along Edgware Road
I’ve recently noticed how the rails along the middle of the Edgware Road have disappeared and thought at first it might be related to the spate of metal theft we’ve been experiencing in the UK lately. Perhaps TFL are cashing in now that metal has risen in value so much?, or maybe they’re aware of a future war effort which would mean using all the spare metal we had for armaments,as occurred during World War 2 in London ?
Anyway, I was prompted to put in a written question to the Mayor to find out what’s being happening. It transpires, that the disappearances are a result of a policy change by TFL, with some 70 kms of pedestrian guard rails removed since April 2009. Along the Edgware Rd some 640 metres worth have been taken down to make things more convenient for pedestrians and interestingly to make it easier for cyclists who can often and dangerously be trapped between a lorry on one side and railings on the other.
As someone who has (only very occasionally) been known to jaywalk across roads, it’s a welcome change, assisting my crisscrossing along the Edgware Road chasing buses and popping in and out of my local coffee establishments.
February 10, 2012
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