"I'll be back" Boris tells Barnet
Boris Johnson has vowed to return to Barnet "all the time" if he is elected Mayor of London next week.
The Conservative candidate today promised not to neglect the borough, which he has visited on three occasions as the election draws into its final straight.
"I'll be back all the time," he said. "You won't be able to get rid of me. Well, maybe not all the time."
Mr Johnson also laid out the policies that he believes will be most important to Barnet residents, describing the increase in violent crime in the borough as "unacceptable" and vowing to get more police on the street by reducing police paperwork.
He also said that he will station Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) on buses to crack-down on unruly youngsters and denied that their limited powers would undermine their authority.
"A lot of them are extremely capable and they can be given more powers. They can certainly contribute to a greater sense of safety and if the situation gets really out of control they can radio for police officers.
"It think it would be extremely popular. We need to have an absolute zero tolerance of minor crime. We're losing £50 million a year through lost bus fares. It's time we changed that."
He said the extra PCSOs could be paid for by slashing the Mayor's publicity budget.
Mr Johnson said that he would reduce crime in Barnet, and London-wide, by appointing himself chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority, the body which scrutinises the work of the Met.
He would also introduce "crime maps" which would allow residents to see the location of crimes in the area on a website, information which is currently held but not made accessible to the public.
He admitted that in some areas that would exacerbate the fear of crime, but added: "In some areas it will dispel the fear of crime.
"I think it's time we started treating the public as adults. People can see these big yellow police notices all over the place saying there's been a crime, but we don't have a system that gives people real information."
3:20pm Monday 21st April 2008
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: James Barton, Whetstone on 6:56pm Mon 21 Apr 08
He may promise to be back 'all the time', but wouldn't his constituents in Henley like to see him occasionally;
he is after all, the MP for Henley.
He may promise to be back 'all the time', but wouldn't his constituents in Henley like to see him occasionally;
he is after all, the MP for Henley.
Posted by: Rog T, Mill Hill on 6:57pm Mon 21 Apr 08
So Boris Johnson is going to visit Barnet all the time?
I guess he says the same thing to all the boroughs he visits. He's either lying or he won't have any time left to do the job properly.
I suppose you could be charitable and say that maybe he's realised what a bad job the Tories are doing in Barnet and has realised they need extra help.
So Boris Johnson is going to visit Barnet all the time?
I guess he says the same thing to all the boroughs he visits. He's either lying or he won't have any time left to do the job properly.
I suppose you could be charitable and say that maybe he's realised what a bad job the Tories are doing in Barnet and has realised they need extra help.
Posted by: Bruce Standing, N20 9EZ on 9:06am Tue 22 Apr 08
[italic][quote]'I'll be back all the time. You won't be able to get rid of me'[/quote][/italic]
Yet another reason not to vote for him.
Better vote for Brian Paddick.
'I'll be back all the time. You won't be able to get rid of me'
Yet another reason not to vote for him.
Better vote for Brian Paddick.
Posted by: Gillian Wheels, Barnet on 9:16am Tue 22 Apr 08
Or maybe it means he wont just be a zone 1 Mayor and will actually be interested in what Barnet Residents have to say! Unlike Ken.
Or maybe it means he wont just be a zone 1 Mayor and will actually be interested in what Barnet Residents have to say! Unlike Ken.
Posted by: Sweeney Todd, LBB on 9:24am Tue 22 Apr 08
Barbers in the area must be relishing the challenge!
Barbers in the area must be relishing the challenge!
Posted by: A Liberal Writes, Whetstone on 12:35pm Tue 22 Apr 08
I wouldn't trust Boris to help me cross the road, let alone run London.
I wouldn't trust Boris to help me cross the road, let alone run London.
Posted by: TimberWolf, Barnet on 2:28pm Tue 22 Apr 08
We want a Mayor who will get on with the job, not just indulge in endless photo opportunities.
That rules out Mr B Johnson.
We want a Mayor who will get on with the job, not just indulge in endless photo opportunities.
That rules out Mr B Johnson.
Posted by: Shorty, Barnet on 5:27pm Tue 22 Apr 08
We want a Mayor who wont reek of corruption, put Londoners first, not entertain terrorists and be accountable.
That rules out Ken.
We want a Mayor who wont reek of corruption, put Londoners first, not entertain terrorists and be accountable.
That rules out Ken.
Posted by: Rog T, Mill Hill on 6:47pm Tue 22 Apr 08
Shorty,
I'd say that rules Ken in. Do you think Mr Henley on Thames cares about London. His former boss at the Telegraph and his best mate are in the slammer.
As the Tories wanted a comedian they should have picked Paul Merton. He is intelligent and funny !
Shorty,
I'd say that rules Ken in. Do you think Mr Henley on Thames cares about London. His former boss at the Telegraph and his best mate are in the slammer.
As the Tories wanted a comedian they should have picked Paul Merton. He is intelligent and funny !
Posted by: TimberWolf, Barnet on 7:57pm Tue 22 Apr 08
I'd say that with B&K ruled out that leaves Brian Paddick to vote for.
I'd say that with B&K ruled out that leaves Brian Paddick to vote for.
Posted by: Jonathan, East Finchley on 9:57pm Tue 22 Apr 08
Who cares if Boris lives in Henley, it is hardly the moon. The fact he has shown his face more in Barnet during this campaign than Ken [bold]EVER[/bold] has during his whole Mayoralty speaks volumes.
I did happen to bump into Boris in Temple Fortune and I did have my doubts that he was a waster, however, on that day he changed my mind by answering my question on crime directly, not by fobbing me off and for that not only was I impressed but I agreed with his answer.
So cut him some slack, do you want this Mayor Ken for another four years or do you want a change? Paddick isnt going to get in face it.
Who cares if Boris lives in Henley, it is hardly the moon. The fact he has shown his face more in Barnet during this campaign than Ken
EVER has during his whole Mayoralty speaks volumes.
I did happen to bump into Boris in Temple Fortune and I did have my doubts that he was a waster, however, on that day he changed my mind by answering my question on crime directly, not by fobbing me off and for that not only was I impressed but I agreed with his answer.
So cut him some slack, do you want this Mayor Ken for another four years or do you want a change? Paddick isnt going to get in face it.
Posted by: TimberWolf, Barnet on 8:06am Wed 23 Apr 08
In this election you can vote for your first and second choice for Mayor.
If your first choice does not come first or second then provided no candidate polls more than 50%your vote transfers to your second choice.
So make Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick your first choice, then you can hold your nose and vote for one of the others as your second choice.
Or vote for Johnson or Livingstone or whoever and then vote for your second choice.
It is not a brilliant voting system, but a small step forward.
In this election you can vote for your first and second choice for Mayor.
If your first choice does not come first or second then provided no candidate polls more than 50%your vote transfers to your second choice.
So make Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick your first choice, then you can hold your nose and vote for one of the others as your second choice.
Or vote for Johnson or Livingstone or whoever and then vote for your second choice.
It is not a brilliant voting system, but a small step forward.
Posted by: Jonathan, Suburb on 10:07am Wed 23 Apr 08
Actually... If no candidate polls 50% plus 1% in the first ballot then the [bold]top two candidates[/bold] polling the most go forward to the second round essentially.
Then the 2nd preference votes from the [italic]'losing' candidates[/italic] where a vote was given to the two winning candidates is transferred!
My argument is that actually I dont want to vote for two candidates, just one and that I shall do. I checked with London Elects and I am perfectly within my rights to do that and not express a second preference.
Actually... If no candidate polls 50% plus 1% in the first ballot then the
top two candidates polling the most go forward to the second round essentially.
Then the 2nd preference votes from the
'losing' candidates where a vote was given to the two winning candidates is transferred!
My argument is that actually I dont want to vote for two candidates, just one and that I shall do. I checked with London Elects and I am perfectly within my rights to do that and not express a second preference.
Posted by: TimberWolf, Barnet on 2:49pm Wed 23 Apr 08
[italic]Thanks for explaining that, Jonathan.[/italic]
Now I have used my postal vote to vote- on the pink ballot paper for Brian Paddick, Liberal Democrat, and did not vote for a second preference.
On the yellow ballot paper I voted for Nick Russell, Liberal Democrat.
On the orange ballot paper I voted for the Liberal Democrats.
Could everyone else do that when they vote please?
Thank you!
Thanks for explaining that, Jonathan.
Now I have used my postal vote to vote- on the pink ballot paper for Brian Paddick, Liberal Democrat, and did not vote for a second preference.
On the yellow ballot paper I voted for Nick Russell, Liberal Democrat.
On the orange ballot paper I voted for the Liberal Democrats.
Could everyone else do that when they vote please?
Thank you!
Posted by: Daniel Hope, Barnet on 5:02pm Wed 23 Apr 08
Boris could well be spending time in Barnet, with Brian Coleman hopefully scratching his head at the Tower Blocks and urbanisation of the suburbs that Barnet Council's 'Conservative' Cabinet is pushing through in cahoots with Ken. Here's hoping.
Boris could well be spending time in Barnet, with Brian Coleman hopefully scratching his head at the Tower Blocks and urbanisation of the suburbs that Barnet Council's 'Conservative' Cabinet is pushing through in cahoots with Ken. Here's hoping.
Posted by: Not Bitter, Barnet on 10:30pm Wed 23 Apr 08
He's back! hurray.
Posted by: Jonathon, Finchley on 10:32pm Wed 23 Apr 08
He's back AND he's bitter....
He's back AND he's bitter....
Posted by: Simon, Wenthwork Park, Finchley on 7:14pm Sun 27 Apr 08
I voted for [bold]Boris Johnson[/bold] on the Pink paper because I cannot stand that cretin Ken and Paddick is a non-entity who turned me against him on Question Time.
and made NO second choice...
Then I voted for [bold]Coleman[/bold] because at least he has bothered to send me some literature to my house in Wentworth Park and no one else has.
Then I voted [bold]Conservative[/bold] because hey this council are better than the last lot and if I am honest I couldnt even tell you who my local councillors are.
They have suddenly become invisable, yet the Tories are always delivering, canvassing and sending me surveys asking for my view.
And this is my first ever time voting Conservative!
I voted for
Boris Johnson on the Pink paper because I cannot stand that cretin Ken and Paddick is a non-entity who turned me against him on Question Time.
and made NO second choice...
Then I voted for
Coleman because at least he has bothered to send me some literature to my house in Wentworth Park and no one else has.
Then I voted
Conservative because hey this council are better than the last lot and if I am honest I couldnt even tell you who my local councillors are.
They have suddenly become invisable, yet the Tories are always delivering, canvassing and sending me surveys asking for my view.
And this is my first ever time voting Conservative!
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
