March 28th, 2008.

Newsletter for week ending 28th March

NEWSLETTER 12

Dear Supporter...

Since the beginning of this campaign I have said that key to my crime-fighting strategy is the belief that by systematically tackling so-called 'low-level' offences we can drive out more serious crime. This week, I set out how we can start to address the culture of incivility and casual disorder in London.

As anyone who takes public transport regularly will know, our buses are a magnet for antisocial behaviour. For too long now, some young people have been able to get away with behaviour that is at best irritating, and at worst threatening or even dangerous. Earlier this week I announced 'Payback London', a scheme designed to deal with this problem.

Under a Johnson Mayoralty, young people who break the Behaviour Code will have their free bus passes withdrawn, and will only be able to earn the privilege back by engaging in community service. This might take the form of graffiti removal, or volunteering for a local charity - anything that encourages these young people to care for the spaces we all share, and reconsider their behaviour.

My second big launch this week was for my manifesto on 'Protecting Our Local Environment'. I was delighted to be joined at Hampstead Heath by Conservative MP Peter Ainsworth and the Parliamentary Candidate for Richmond Park, Zac Goldsmith. In the manifesto I pledge to protect and preserve public spaces, make it easier to recycle and reduce waste, make transport more sustainable and help tackle climate change. You can read a full copy of it by clicking here, or click on the video box on the right to hear my launch speech.

Today I launched a manifesto that addresses the needs of older Londoners. If elected as Mayor of London in May, I will work to improve our city for all Londoners, including the more than one million pensioners who live in the capital. It is said that you can judge a place and a people by the way they treat their elderly citizens, and under my Mayoralty I am certain that London will be judged as a civilised place - a city that cares for and acknowledges its older citizens. Please click here to read how we can achieve this.

See you on the campaign trail...

Boris

Ps. To read my newsletter in full, and find out what else I've been up to this week, click here.

PPs. Last week my facebook page went live for supporters of my campaign. Please visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/Boris-Johnson/7972991316?ref=ts to sign up - and ask your friends and family to join the group, too!

How you can get involved...
If you have an hour, an afternoon or a day to spare and you'd like to help spreading Boris's word across London, please contact Rob.Loughenbury[@]backboris.com.
And don't forget to tell your friends and family about www.backboris.com - get them to sign up today.

On the campaign trail this week...

Boris goes to Heathrow

Boris joined Conservative GLA members Tony Arbour and Richard Barnes on a visit to Chatsworth Crescent near Heathrow this week, to protest at the airport expansion that is set to diminish residents' quality of life. Our man listened to local people's concerns about increased noise levels and atmospheric pollution, and reaffirmed his objection to Heathrow expansion:

"Having listened to the views of countless Londoners - including those I met today - and talked to several experts and academics on the subject, I do not believe that the purported economic benefits of expansion come close to balancing the environmental and social costs. I urge the Government to consider the human cost of expansion, re-evaluate their position and withdraw their plans for more capacity at Heathrow." After the visit Boris went on to meet the Third Runway Action Group in Harmondsworth.

Boris in Hillingdon

In one of many trips around the capital this week, Boris went to Uxbridge in Hillingdon to listen to local people's concerns, particularly about housing and planning. After joining Hillingon Council Leader Ray Puddifoot to view a successful new housing development in the area, Boris was moved to speak out:

"This is precisely the sort of thing I want to encourage when I become Mayor - individual boroughs deciding their own housing needs without being dictated to by City Hall. This development serves to emphasise the key distinction between the incumbent's obsession with target-driven housing developments, and my belief in local developments being sensitive to local needs."

Boris goes to Borough Market

London's oldest market welcomed Boris this week, giving our candidate the opportunity to chat with shoppers and traders about the issues affecting them, and to tell them his plans for London.

After the visit, Boris said: "One of the reasons I want to become Mayor of London is because of the sheer plethora of opportunities this city offers for all Londoners. Borough Market, like many markets in London, is a focal point of the local community, and I look forward to returning soon."

London Action Day

Boris got very busy last Saturday as he visited seven locations across the city - Fulham, Putney, Wimbledon, Kingston, Croydon, Sutton and Bromley - to help local supporters spread his message of change.

Despite the wintry weather the day was a huge success, as Boris commented afterwards: "Judging by the turn-out and enthusiasm I have been greeted with today, I can only draw the conclusion that people all over London desire a change of direction. Not even the weather is capable of dampening Londoners' desire for a Mayor who will champion the causes closest to their hearts. If made Mayor of London, I will do just that."

Boris pledges new street trees

Boris paid a visit to Valentine Park in the London Borough of Redbridge this week to announce his plan to plant 10,000 new street trees in London. This will be funded by money saved from axing 'The Londoner', the paper produced at taxpayers' expense to promote the work of the current Mayor.
The scheme was launched in Redbridge because between 2002 and 2007 4,871 urban trees were planted there, making it the leading tree-planting borough in London.

Boris is determined to ensure that every Londoner has greenery in their part of the capital, as he said after the event: "The work being done here in Redbridge is a testament to the environmental credentials of local Conservative government. I pledge to ensure all Londoners can share in an improved local environment - at the expense of taxpayer-funded propaganda."

A big thank you to everyone who has volunteered or supported the campaign this week... See you on the campaign trail!
Team Boris

Back to news archive

Show your support and join Team Boris

Register your details and get full access along with messages about events, news etc. Just fill your details in below. Items marked with a * are required.