Opposition blasts Boris for ‘broken promises to voters’

Under fire: Boris Johnson defended his record saying: "I’m very proud of the work we’ve done"
12 April 2012

Boris Johnson's record in office came under the spotlight today as opposition parties lined up to attack him for "broken promises" to voters.

Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens claimed the Mayor had failed to deliver on a series of commitments after almost two years running London. They launched a tirade of written and oral questions at Mr Johnson on issues including transport, housing and crime.

Green Assembly member Jenny Jones said: "As Boris approaches the half-way point in this mayoral term, Londoners are entitled to look at what was
promised and what has actually been delivered."

Labour issued a dossier that it claimed exposed the reality behind the Mayor's flagship manifesto commitments. It is part of a wider campaign against Mr Johnson, aiming to highlight the reality of a future Conservative government to voters.

Labour's Len Duvall said: "The list of promises broken or not delivered is enough to make you wonder why he bothered writing a manifesto in the first place."

The commitments the Mayor's critics claim he has broken include:

Ensuring "there is always a manned ticket office at every station". He announced plans this month to axe 450 ticket office jobs and reduce opening hours.

Chairing the Metropolitan Police Authority. He made a surprise announcement in January that he would stand down and hand control to his deputy.
Building 50,000 affordable homes by 2011. The commitment has been delayed to 2012 with not all new homes being new builds.

Bringing in a cycle hire scheme "at no cost to the taxpayer".

City Hall now estimates it will cost Londoners more than £114 million to deliver. Mr Johnson rejected the attack as "pretty mean-minded" and claimed his critics had come up with a "pretty paltry list" of broken promises. "Our general record on delivering manifesto promises is outstanding," he said.

He cited the ban on alcohol on public transport, a 10 per cent cut in crime, a record number of new homes and the delivery of new rape crisis centres as examples.

"I think that's a pretty good record, a pretty good start, I'm very proud of the work we've done," he added. Tory Assembly members listed the "flagrant" breach of promises by Ken Livingstone.

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