Liberal Democrats Launch Manifesto 'For A London United'

9.55.17am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 26th Apr 2004

Liberal Democrat London Mayoral candidate, Simon Hughes, will today throw down the gauntlet to rival candidates with the launch of the Liberal Democrat London manifesto For a London United.

The cornerstones of the policies he will unveil today for when he becomes Mayor of London on the 11th June will include:-

• Minimum Policing Guarantee of 4 officers and 4 PCSO's for every ward of every borough 2008.

• Visible policing at all mainline stations and CCTV for every train and tube station.

• A 10 point plan to prevent a terrorist attack and protect Londoners in the event of an attack.

• A 9-point plan to make the existing C-charge zone easier.

• Late night tubes until 2am Thursday, Friday and Saturday and an assessment of reduced fares for early morning commuters.

Speaking from the open top Routemaster double decker bus later today, Mr Hughes will say:- "I want an easier, safer and more united London. My vision is nothing less than a Greater London, the most exciting place in Europe and the world, where we are united in making this great capital a place we are all proud to live not some of the time but all of the time."

"Blair's Mayor has divided communities, divided boroughs and divided London. Mr Livingstone has been blind to the divides he and his government have created between the rich and poor and the inner and outer parts of London. It is time for a new Mayor for a Greater London."

"London needs a Mayor who is nobody's pocket. Londoners don't want a Mayor who is the pocket of the unions or Tony Blair, and they don't want a Mayor who is in the pocket of big business or Jarvis. Londoners need an independent Mayor who will fight for London at home and abroad, and will make London united."

"We must make this great capital city into our community, our town and our kind of place again. That is what I pledge to do, and that is what this manifesto is all about."

ENDS

The ten main points of the manifesto are:-

1) A Permanent Community Police Service - Minimum Policing Guarantee Liberal Democrats will insist that every neighbourhood (communities of 5-10,000) in London is provided with its own designated 'community police force' by 2006. This will grow over the four-year term to comprise four police officers and four community support officers, who will not be removed from their local duties except in extraordinary circumstances. A sergeant on a 4-year contract will head each 'community police force' so they can get to know and establish links with the local community.

2) Safer Trains, Safer Stations

We will enter into immediate negotiations with the Rail Authorities, train operating companies and local boroughs to highlight Londoners' to ensure CCTV and emergency phone points, for all stations to be kept in a good state of repair, with graffiti and litter removed regularly, along with an increased visible presence of uniformed officers.

3) Security -Tackling Terrorism

We will start immediate talks with the Government for an increase in the civil defence budget for London. Our plans include providing better information to the public on what to do in the event of an attack, forming a London Emergency Volunteer Reserve Force and merger of the British Transport Police (BTP) in London with the Metropolitan Police Service. We will halt all talks on installing mobile phones networks on deep line sections of the Tube.

4) Congestion Charging

We will allow an extra day to pay, Change the end of the charging period from 6.30pm to 5pm, allow the block booking of tickets and give every vehicle 5 free entries into the congestion-charging zone each year. We will not extend the Congestion Charging Zone westwards into Kensington & Chelsea.

5) Late Night Tube

We will extend the running times of the Tube network until 2 am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, allowing Londoners to enjoy a longer night out without worrying how to get home safely. We will assess reducing fares for early morning Tube travel to ease congestion at peak times.

6) Fast Track Home Building

We will work with retailers and transport companies to identify unused urban space above and around supermarkets and train stations for affordable housing. We will set an overall long-term objective in the London Plan to generate 10,000 extra units through these Fast Track schemes. We will also conduct an annual review of affordable housing provision, with a view to setting accelerating annual delivery targets.

7) Reclaiming The Streets

We will work closely with London's boroughs to campaign for cleaner and safer streets, highlighting the areas which fail to deliver. We will promote;

i) Safer Streets Every road and street across London should be well lit and properly signposted to reduce crime and increase public confidence. We will work in partnership with boroughs and private companies to provide better street signs and renewed street lighting,

ii) Greener Streets Planting bushes and trees in the central reservations of London's major trunk roads and dual carriageways will improve London's bio-diversity, and create a better environment across London's road network.

iii) Cleaner Streets We will actively work with borough councils to identify and promote the most effective ideas on street management and maintenance so that communities across London can benefit from cleaner streets and more welcoming local environments.

8) One - Number

Liberal Democrats are proposing a One-Number contact system, which will provide the public with direct access to all information and services provided by the GLA and eventually the Boroughs. A fast, efficient one-stop helpline, which would operate 24 hours a day and would always be answered by a real person.

9) Pedestrianise Oxford St.

We will ensure a pedestrian friendly Oxford Street by 2008, and consult on delivering improved transport hubs for buses, and an extra spur on the proposed new North-South tramline.

10) A Voice for Business

A Mayor's advisory body of representatives, a Greater London Business Council, that would be chosen from London's business community and include members from the entire cross-section of industries, business sizes and geographical locations. This "second chamber" would assist and inform the Mayor's policy team in the consideration of issues and challenges facing London's economy, helping to ensure that London can be a prosperous place for all.