News
and articlesNews
and articles
For my current releases, visit our group website.
Releases for the last few years are listed here. See below for the archive going back to 2002.
Mon 17th Mar 2008
Mayor's recycling scheme creates mess for London boroughs
Wed 5th Mar 2008
Urgent changes proposed to improve accountability in the
Mayor's Office
Tue 4th Mar 2008
Lee Jasper is part of a wider problem with the Mayor's
Office
Tue 4th Mar 2008
The Mayor's Office does not practice open governance
Fri 15th Feb 2008
If the Mayor believes Lee Jasper has done no wrong, he is
wasting police time
Thu 7th Feb 2008
Unelected figures allowed to make decisions for London
Wed 6th Feb 2008
Lib Dems aim to scrutinise Mayor's key political advisers
Wed 30th Jan 2008
Lib Dem budget halves Mayor's precept increase
Tue 22nd Jan 2008
The Mayor does not know what is happening with his own
staff
Tue 22nd Jan 2008
Broken promises over Heathrow
Mon 21st Jan 2008
The Mayor has to be subject to accountability
Thu 13th Dec 2007
NHS taking baby-steps in reducing carbon footprint
Wed 12th Dec 2007
District Auditor asked to look into LDA allegations
Wed 12th Dec 2007
Londoners should not be fooled by Mayor's budget demands
Thu 22nd Nov 2007
Mayor's increase in press officers is the last thing London
needs
Wed 21st Nov 2007
Extra £900m Olympic Costs must not be met by London tax
payers
Tue 13th Nov 2007
Lib Dem Assembly Members congratulate Brian Paddick
Wed 7th Nov 2007
London LibDems call on MPA to sack police commissioner
Wed 10th Oct 2007
Why is the Mayor spending public money on re-election spin?
Fri 13th Jul 2007
Olympic Sustainability
Wed 20th Jun 2007
Mayor "caves in" and appoints Liberal Democrats to
London Fire Authority
Tue 19th Jun 2007
Message from Mike Tuffrey on the row over appointments to the
London Fire Authority
Fri 15th Jun 2007
"Mayor trying to gag political opponents" as he
rejects LFEPA nominations
Wed 13th Jun 2007
Audit Commission to investigate payments to Bob Kiley
Fri 11th May 2007
London Low Emission Zone welcome step to tackle climate
change
Wed 18th Apr 2007
Londoners deserve choice in the Mayoral race
Thu 22nd Mar 2007
Supersewer could add £40 to Londoner's water bills
Wed 14th Mar
2007
Mayor's foreign junkets still lack justification
Tue 27th Feb 2007
Will London meet its target on Carbon emissions?
Click here to see press releases from 2006
Click here to see press releases from 2005
Click here to see press releases from 2004
Click here to see press releases from 2003
Click here to see press releases from 2002
Click here to see articles Mike has previously written
Press release: Mon 17th Mar 2008
London Assembly Liberal Democrats today criticised the Mayor's announcement to set up a £24 million waste and recycling programme with the London Development Agency. His proposals rival the new Government-funded London Waste and Recycling Board, which will perform many of the same functions.
As part of the Mayor's proposals, £24 million will be put into the project over four years, compared to £60 million over three years that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Government Office for London have pledged for the London Waste and Recycling Board.
It was initially intended, under the Greater London Authority Act 2007, that the Mayor would chair the London Waste and Recycling Board and contribute £6 million from the GLA's budget. Ken Livingstone's refusal to chair the Board is connected to his failed bid for a single London Waste Authority.
Commenting on the Mayor's choice to rival the existing public sector organisation, Environment Spokesman for the London Assembly Liberal Democrats, Mike Tuffrey, said:
"London desperately needs a co-ordinated effort to manage the capital's waste. Instead, the Mayor's latest plans will lead to double-spending on two projects with the same objectives, at the expense of the taxpayer.
"The Waste and Recycling Board would deliver, if the Mayor was willing to cooperate with London boroughs. The Mayor's refusal to work alongside boroughs will make the challenges of increasing recycling and reducing landfill waste even harder.
"The Mayor has left local councils to 'clean up their own mess' by excluding them from his new plans. This is another example of the Mayor insisting that things are done his way or not at all."
Note to editor:
1. The London Development Agency's press release on the waste initiative can be found at http://www.lda.gov.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.2546
Press release: Wed 5th Mar 2008
Today's scrutiny hearing with the Mayor's Chief of Staff and Policy Adviser on Economics and Business revealed a worrying insight into the way decisions are made in the Mayor's Office. London Assembly Liberal Democrats have put forward five proposals to improve accountability in the Mayor's Office in response to revelations about Mayoral advisers intervening without proper controls.
Leader of the Liberal Democrats on the London Assembly, Mike Tuffrey commented:
"Only by adopting these proposals will the current and subsequent mayors show the public that his personal advisers are operating in a clear and honest fashion. There is no doubt that the Mayor has been damaged by recent allegations and action needs to be taken to ensure that the Mayor's Office is made open and democratic.
"It is time that positive steps are taken so that the Mayor's Office can return to working for Londoners, rather than constantly having to defend its internal workings."
The five proposals for the Greater London Authority are:
1. A GLA group-wide register of interests should be established.
2. All staff appointed under Greater London Authority Act s67 (1) (a) and (b) should have their registered interests made public, to reflect the nature of their political roles.
3. A Code of Conduct for Mayoral Advisers should be drawn up and made publicly available, similar to the controls in place over ministerial special advisers.
4. A protocol should be established with clear rules over how Mayoral advisers can intervene in the workings of functional bodies. This should be limited to engagement at directorial level to protect more junior staff from improper pressure. Any advice given should be formally recorded and reported.
5. The board of functional bodies, notably the London Development Agency and Transport for London, should follow normal local government practice and meet in public, with commercially confidential or sensitive personal matters reserved for a private session.
Notes to Editors:
1. The GLA Act s67 (1) (a) and (b) refers to Mayoral advisers.
2. The Mayor's Chief of Staff is Simon Fletcher. John Ross is the Mayor's Policy Adviser on Business and Economics.
Press release: Tue 4th Mar 2008
Commenting on the resignation of Lee Jasper this evening, Leader of the London Assembly Liberal Democrats, Mike Tuffrey said:
"Lee Jasper is part of a wider problem within the Mayor's office. Yet again, the Mayor has proven unable to control the actions of a member of his staff. Indeed, issues surrounding LDA grants should have been referred to an independent inquiry back in December, as we suggested.
"The Mayor's office has been put under the public spotlight, and found to be flawed. It is time that we had a new Mayor who can work to improve London instead of wasting time shielding his friends."
Press release: Tue 4th Mar 2008
London Assembly Liberal Democrats expressed their dismay that Lee Jasper failed to declare extensive foreign travel today. Leader of the London Assembly Liberal Democrats, Mike Tuffrey commented:
"Every official in City Hall should be made to register their interests. In the name of transparency, this information must be in the public domain.
"If Lee Jasper did not do this, it raises serious questions about the way that the Mayor is conducting his office. His staff act in his name but are not being held accountable to anyone.
"How can the Mayor champion democracy when his own office does not practice open governance?"
Press release: Fri 15th Feb 2008
Commenting on the suspension of Lee Jasper and the referral of allegations made against him to the police, Leader of the London Assembly Liberal Democrats, Mike Tuffrey, said:
"The Mayor has been adamant that Lee Jasper is innocent of all accusations brought against him in the media. If this is the case, why refer these allegations to the police? If the Mayor is certain that Lee Jasper has not acted illegally, surely he is wasting police time with this matter.
"The London Assembly has been demanding evidence on these allegations for a long time. Yet it was only last week that the London Assembly received over 900 pages of documents requested. These must be examined before we can conduct a proper scrutiny with Lee Jasper and other Mayoral adviser colleagues.
"The Mayor accuses the London Assembly of drawing out this process, but I have to wonder whether it is not the Mayor and Lee Jasper who are playing the media.
"We received no warning and had to find out about Lee Jasper's suspension through a press release. Again, this proves that the Mayor is unwilling to open his office up for scrutiny unless it is by his rules."
Press release: Thu 7th Feb 2008
Speaking about this evening's extraordinary meeting, at which the Mayor was questioned over the role his political advisers play, Leader of the London Assembly Liberal Democrats Mike Tuffrey said:
"We have had to summon the Mayor's senior advisers to appear before the Assembly. It is a shame that a man who runs a 'personal fiefdom' is unable to answer for his own office.
"The Mayor claims that his staff act on his behalf, with his stamp of approval on all their directives. And yet, when it comes down to it, he cannot answer simple questions about their actions.
"Unelected figures are allowed to make decisions for London. The Mayor was right a decade ago when he warned of the dangers of a directly elected Mayor without proper checks and balances. He is wrong now to dismiss legitimate questions and instead to smear the Assembly.
"The Mayor is not being difficult about being held to account. He is being impossible."
Press release: Wed 6th Feb 2008
The London Assembly Liberal Democrats are to propose that the mayor's key political advisers appear before the Assembly following tomorrow's extraordinary meeting. Leader of the London Assembly Liberal Democrats Mike Tuffrey said:
"I will be asking the Assembly to investigate urgently the way the Mayor's political advisers get involved in daily decision-making. We are likely to summons them and the Chief Executive to give evidence.
"If the Mayor is so confident in the workings of his staff, he should open his office up for scrutiny. Up to now, we have had to base our assumptions on whispers and leaked documents.
"The Mayor of London has virtually unlimited powers and a disregard for scrutiny. It's deeply worrying that his political appointees are operating without effective controls either.
"The Mayor should stop protecting his friends by letting them hide in his shadow."
Notes to Editor
The Mayor's political appointments are as follows:
Under Section 67(1)(a) of the GLA Act: John Duffy, Lee Jasper
Under Section 67(1)(b) of the GLA Act: Simon Fletcher, Redmond O'Neill, John Ross, Neale Coleman, Murziline Parchment, Anne Harradine, Harry Barlow, Joy Johnson
The Mayor can make two further appointments under this provision.
Press release: Wed 30th Jan 2008
London Assembly Liberal Democrats are today proposing an increase half that of the Mayor's 2.4% rise in 2008/9.
Liberal Democrats are proposing free bus travel one Sunday a month, as well as on public holidays and Christmas Day. They will also be pioneering a new policy to tackle the causes of crime by focusing on young people who are most at risk.
Other innovative measures introduced as part of their budget proposals include providing free cavity wall and loft insulation to 10,000 Londoners living in rented social housing, increasing cycling capacity in London and helping students to cope with high travel fares.
Mike Tuffrey, Leader of the London Assembly Liberal Democrats said:
"Our budget amendment provides a serious alternative to the Mayor's. We are seeking to cut unwanted and unnecessary projects, scrapping wasteful expenditure, while delivering beneficial new policy ideas. Most importantly, our budget does not call for high tax rises.
"Our amendments build upon our previous Liberal Democrat successes. The proposed measures will improve upon the services we can offer Londoners. We hope that other parties will support it. "
Press release: Tue 22nd Jan 2008
Rosemary Emodi, Business Manager - Equalities and Policing in the Mayor's Office, has resigned this evening following a BBC London news story. Commenting on this development, Leader of the London Assembly Liberal Democrats Mike Tuffrey said:
"The Mayor clearly does not know what is happening in his own backyard. If he cannot get control over his own office, and appoint staff who tell the truth, how can he be expected to run London properly? "
Press release: Tue 22nd Jan 2008
Commenting on the public consultation on expansion at Heathrow, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on the London Assembly, Mike Tuffrey said:
"BAA and the Department for Transport have broken a catalogue of promises over Heathrow expansion. I can point to three specific instances in the past where they have made assurances that have not been kept.
"It is no wonder that the public are deeply cynical about the Government consultation. Stephen Nelson, CEO of BAA today said that he could not promise that the proposed third runway would be the final development at Heathrow.
"I urge Londoners to make sure they send in their responses to the consultation. There is overwhelming opposition to expansion and that needs to be expressed to hold BAA and the Government in check.
"Rather than having millions of pounds wasted on a third runway, the Government should invest in high-speed rail to the North and Scotland. They need to cut back on short-haul flights. There are cheaper, greener alternatives that must be considered."
Research by the London Assembly Liberal Democrats has found that flying from Heathrow to Paris or Brussels generates roughly 10 times more CO2 than the same journey by rail.
Notes to Editors:
1. Carbon emissions by flying from Heathrow:
Heathrow to Paris CDG - approximately 15 flights per day - each generating 122 kilograms of CO2, (1830 kilograms of CO2 per day) compared with just 11 kilograms for a traveller on a London-Paris return journey by train.
Heathrow to Brussels - approximately 13 flights per day - each generating 160 kg of CO2 per passenger, (2080 kilograms of CO2 per day) against only 18 kg of CO2 for a return journey by rail.
2. Previous statements about no further Heathrow expansion:
1979/80: Terminal 4 will be the last major development - "The Government conclude that the idea of a Fifth Terminal at Heathrow and a second runway at Gatwick should not be pursued. This effectively limits expansion at these airports." Aviation Minister, Lord Trefargne, the House of Lords, 14th February 1980.
1995: BAA said repeatedly that Terminal 5 would not lead to a 3rd runway.
2001: Terminal Five given the go-ahead but with a cap on flight numbers. "We are making it a planning condition that there will be a limit of 480,000 flight movements a year" Transport Secretary of State, Stephen Byers, House of Commons, 2001. They are now stating at least 702,000 flight movements (although some suspect this would be more like 800,000).
Press release: Mon 21st Jan 2008
Leader of the London Assembly Liberal Democrats Mike Tuffrey appeared on the BBC's Politics Show to discuss the recent controversy into the Mayor's handling of LDA funding.
Commenting on the continuing investigation around the Mayor's processes, Mike Tuffrey said:
"We've had one mayor in office for eight years. We warned right at the outset about the problems of importing this strong American-style of mayoral government without the checks and balances that you have in America.
"It was absolutely clear that Mayoral advisors are involved in operational decision-making and there are no rules around that. There is no openness, no transparency. We don't know what is going on.
"It is perfectly proper for a Mayor to try and implement his programme in government. But we have to see how that is done. There has to be democracy at work. As Liberal Democrats, that's what we're arguing for. The clue is in the name - freedom, openness, democracy. We need that in London Government.
"There is a whole culture of doing things behind closed doors - of phone calls, of nods and winks. The Mayor has to be subject to accountability and that is at heart, our fundamental point."
Press release: Wed 16th Jan 2008
After the appearance of Manny Lewis and Andrew Travers, senior executives of the London Development Agency, in front of the London Assembly this morning, Leader of the London Assembly Liberal Democrats Mike Tuffrey said:
"It is quite clear from the evidence the LDA presented this morning that, despite the Mayor's claims, the enquiry made was neither independent, nor an external review. The Mayor and his advisors have deliberately tried to avoid answering questions by claiming the matter was in the hands of external auditors. The evidence we were given this morning shows that it was not.
"Far from answering the serious concerns raised, the LDA's enquiry has revealed the need for further investigation, including police involvement.
"I welcome the further scrutiny the London Assembly will conduct on the matter on 7 February 2008."
Press release: Thu 13th Dec 2007
London’s public and commercial sector buildings produce around 15 million tones of carbon emissions a year, but emissions vary significantly across sectors, a London Assembly report (1) reveals today.
London local authorities lead the way in reducing the carbon footprint of their offices, however the NHS are still playing catch-up in cutting the energy consumption of their buildings.
Mike Tuffrey AM, London Assembly Member of the Environment Committee, said: “London’s local authorities are well-placed, proactive and are making significant progress in reducing London’s carbon footprint because they have been bound by a steady stream of legislation since Kyoto.
“But the NHS is lagging behind because, unlike local authorities who have been working with Kyoto in mind for the best part of a decade, the NHS is only just turning its attention to it.”
The report found PFI contracts were too rigid in allowing NHS managers to install on-site renewable energy. It highlights the need for better carbon-cutting commitments for PFI projects to keep standards in line with Kyoto targets. It also calls upon the Treasury to provide guidance for the public sector to help negotiate service agreement changes for PFI projects.
The Assembly Environment Committee’s report also found progress on cutting carbon emissions within the Greater London Authority (GLA) Group's estate (2) varies. LFEPA has spent £47 per square metre of its estate in reducing its carbon footprint; the MPS, having a considerably larger estate, spend and staff numbers, has spent £14 per square metre to date.
Mike Tuffrey AM, added: "We don't want the new wave of public sector buildings that have sprung up in the last ten years to be left behind over the next decade. The Government has to ensure that the public sector estate continually renews itself so it can meet the challenge of climate change."
Notes to Editors:
1. Download Emission Creep: How the public sector is changing to meet the challenge of climate change
2. The GLA group consists of the Greater London Authority, London Development Agency (LDA), London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA), The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and Transport for London (TfL).
3. As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor
For more details please contact the Assembly Media Office on 020 7983 4283. For out of hours media enquiries please call 0207 983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit, Greater London Authority, on 020 7983 4100.
Press release: Wed 12th Dec 2007
Mayor Ken Livingstone has been asked to summon the District Auditor to look into Evening Standard allegations on London Development Agency grants and about one of the Mayor's advisors. This is following the motion passed by Assembly Members today that called for an independent investigation rather than an internal audit by the LDA themselves.
The motion was proposed by Leader of the London Assembly Liberal Democrats, Mike Tuffrey, who told the Assembly:
"The nub of the Evening Standard's case is that grants have been paid with very little to show for them and that a mayoral aide has been improperly involved.
"Rather than rebutting the charge, the Mayor's response has been to engage in smear politics against his critics. Given the serious nature of the allegations it is essential for the reputation of good governance at City Hall that an investigation that is independent of any Mayoral influence - and is seen to be so - is carried out.
"Such a course of action would reassure London council tax payers that their money is being carefully stewarded and exonerate any individuals who have had their integrity falsely called into question."
Press release: Wed 12th Dec 2007
Commenting on the release of the Mayor's 2008-09 consultation Budget, Liberal Democrat Leader on the London Assembly Mike Tuffrey said:
"In the last seven years the Mayor has pushed up his council tax two and a half times. Londoners should not be fooled. If re-elected in May 2008, Ken Livingstone will demand inflation-busting increases again.
"Met police officers must be given their full pay award and not be short-changed. The mess that Gordon Brown's failed PPP has made of the Tube and the government's under-funding of London's fire service mean that the Mayor's budget for next year is not sustainable.
"If Ken Livingstone remains as Mayor, London's council tax payers will continue to be fleeced."
Press release: Thu 22nd Nov 2007
Mike Tuffrey, Lib Dem leader at the London Assembly, today hit out at Ken Livingstone's's plans to recruit more "spin doctors".
At a meeting of the London Assembly's Budget Committee this morning it was revealed that Mayor Ken Livingstone wants to recruit up to 14 more staff - at a cost of £700,000 - three of whom would be employed in the Mayor's Media and Marketing department.
In April 2001, the Mayor had 5 press officers working directly for him and 15 in total in the GLA's Media and Marketing Department. In September of this year there were 16 press officers in the Mayor's own department and 70 in City Hall's press office.
Mike Tuffrey said:
"The Mayor already has more spin doctors than Downing Street - another increase in press officers is the last thing London needs. He should be fixing the problems, not employing more people to tell us the problems don't exist."
Press release: Wed 21st Nov 2007
Commenting on Tessa Jowell's announcement whilst giving evidence to the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee that Olympic Park costs have risen to £3.3bn, Liberal Democrat Leader on the London Assembly, Mike Tuffrey, said:
"After last week's hype and speculations about Olympic cost over-runs, we now have some clarity over the state of the Olympic budget.
'I am deeply concerned that one year into the planning of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Secretary of State is already talking about the possibility of London Council tax payers funding the first chunk of cost increases, alongside the National Lottery. Londoners should categorically not pay a penny more."
Press release: Tue 13th Nov 2007
Speaking on behalf of the five Liberal Democrat members of the London Assembly, Mike Tuffrey Leader of the Assembly group said:
"Party Members had to choose from three excellent candidates who stood for the Liberal Democrat nomination for Mayor of London. Congratulations to Brian on his victory.
"Over the coming months the London Assembly Lib Dem group look forward to working with Brian as he, and we, address the problems that eight years of Ken Livingstone's rule have brought on London. Brian and the Liberal Democrats treat the position of Mayor of London as a serious job, not some vanity project. Londoners need to know that one Party at least will be listening and offering serious solutions to the transport, housing and crime problems that still need sorting out after all this time."
For further information on Brian Paddick's campaign for Mayor, please go to: www.brianpaddick.libdems.org.uk
Press release: Wed 7th Nov 2007
A majority of the London Assembly today passed a Liberal Democrat motion calling on the Metropolitan Police Authority to remove Ian Blair from office.
The vote followed a meeting this morning at which Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair and MPA Chairman Len Duval were scrutinized by the London Assembly on policing in London.
Liberal Democrat Leader on the London Assembly, Mike Tuffrey, said:
"The debate over the Commissioner's future is now getting in the way of the good policing of London. Sir Ian Blair told the Assembly this morning that he was accountable but not personally responsible for the Stockwell shooting. If we are to see public confidence restored, he must be seen to act on that accountability and should resign.
'A majority of the Assembly has supported our motion calling on the Metropolitan Police Authority to take the necessary steps to end the debate and remove Sir Ian from his post, if necessary, by obtaining the permission of the Home Secretary."
Press release: Wed 10th Oct 2007
Liberal Democrats at the London Assembly have discovered that the Mayor Ken Livingstone has asked the Metropolitan Police Authority for £400,000 as a contribution towards the £800,000 cost of an advertising campaign. The advertising campaign is designed to tell Londoners how safe they are.
Transport for London will contribute the other £400,000 to the campaign which quotes the increase in the number of officers on the capital's streets.
The Mayor of London sets the budget of the Metropolitan Police Authority, which is passed on to the Met, and is Chair of the board at Transport for London.
Mike Tuffrey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats at the London Assembly said:
"At a time when the Mayor is asking the police to find £100million worth of savings, why is he then telling them to spend money on his re-election spin?"
Press release: Fri 13th Jul 2007
Mike Tuffrey has won a pledge from the Olympic Delivery Authority for a more ambitious target on water consumption. Under questioning at the London Assembly's Environment Committee, the ODA also promised to publish an annual report on progress towards their sustainability objectives, covering renewable energy, low carbon, waste and recycling.
Mike Tuffrey said:
'I feel strongly that the organisers of 2012 should stick to their commitment to make the 2012 Games the greenest in history. This means that the ODA has to exceed their current targets to avoid looking bog standard by 2012. I am calling on the Mayor and GLA officers to put pressure on the ODA to make sure that the Olympic Park really is a showcase development for sustainable design, standing the test of time into legacy phase'
Press release: Wed 20th Jun 2007
The Mayor of London this morning announced that he was going to appoint the three original Liberal Democrats nominees to the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority. Mike Tuffrey and Geoff Pope will be nominated from the London Assembly. Councillor Ed Butcher from Haringey - chosen after a ballot of Lib Dem councillors in London - will be the Lib Dem nominee from London Councils.
Speaking after the Mayor had announced his decision at a meeting of the London Assembly, Mike Tuffrey Leader of the Liberal Democrat group at the Assembly and on LFEPA said:
"The Mayor has caved in, in agreeing to appoint our original nominees. In so doing he has acknowledged our commitment on the issues he raised.
We can now get on with making sure London's fire and emergency service functions efficiently."
Press release: Tue 19th Jun 2007
Late last Friday (15 June) the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, launched an extraordinary attack on the independence of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, the body which runs the Fire Brigade, by seeking to remove his political opponents. He is trying to block the reappointment of all Liberal Democrat members and all bar one Conservative, while allowing Labour names to proceed. This would have given Labour a majority at the Authority's AGM due on Thursday (21 June). Yesterday counsel separately acting for both the Greater London Authority and Lfepa advised that this is unlawful.
The Mayor's professed grounds are the need for greater diversity. However the gender and ethnic balance on Lfepa is similar to that of Transport for London and the London Development Agency, both bodies wholly appointed by the Mayor himself. Lfepa comprises nine members appointed from London Assembly members and eight from among local councillors.
Mike Tuffrey, LibDem leader on the London Assembly and on the fire authority, said:
"The Mayor is again demonstrating his dictatorial tendencies, showing scant regard for democracy and independent scrutiny. At a time when central government is considering devolving more powers to London, this outrageous power grab confirms that Liberal Democrats are right to insist on proper checks and balances. The Mayor's political game playing is not just unlawful. It also damages the services Londoners rely upon and violates an important principle: on bodies which are politically proportional by statute, it is not for one party to dictate who other parties should nominate.
"LibDems are making nominations based on the needs of the authority and the skills of available members. Our Assembly group is balanced, with two women and three men. The current councillor nominee, Ed Butcher, replaced a women, Anne Gallop, who retired last year after serving more than six years in post. We have a good track record on these issues. While this year's team does comprise three men, only a few years ago the entire LibDem team were women. We will review the position after next year's elections, based on the needs and availability at that time."
Press release: Fri 15th Jun 2007
Commenting on the decision of the Mayor not to nominate any Liberal Democrats to the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA), Mike Tuffrey Leader of the London Assembly and LFEPA group said:
"This is the Mayor trying to gag his political opponents"
"The law requires the Fire Authority to be politically proportional and it is not for the Mayor to dictate to the other parties who they appoint. The current arrangements have worked well for the past 7 years. At a time when the Fire service is facing major challenges and needs to appoint a new Fire Chief, the Mayor advances no reasonable explanation for his decision to try and prevent other political groups being appointed.
"The Mayor is becoming dictatorial in his manner and attempting to stifle genuine political debate in London. He is far exceeding his powers and needs to understand the errors of his ways."
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Mayor of London is able to nominate nine nominees to LFEPA, five of whom are London Assembly members and four councillors, put forward by the political groups at the London Assembly and London councils.
The Liberal Democrats nominated London Assembly Members Mike Tuffrey and Geoff Pope. The London Councils Liberal Democrat group nominated Ed Butcher after a ballot of all Liberal Democrat councillors in London.
The Mayor has also rejected the Conservative Party's nominations.
Press release: Wed 13th Jun 2007
Mike Tuffrey, Liberal Democrat Group Leader at the the London Assembly, today successfully moved a motion in the London Assembly calling on the Audit Commission to investigate the payments Transport for London has made to Bob Kiley in light of the lack of transparency surrounding Mr Kiley's consultancy contract.
The call for the investigation follows the summonsing of information from TfL about the contract - which revealed that there is no record of the number of days Mr Kiley has worked or the advice he has given - and questioning of Mayor Ken Livingstone and senior TfL officers by the full Assembly today.
Mike Tuffrey said:
"No reasonable person or farepayer could help but think this contract is a scandalous waste of Londoners' money. The Mayor and Transport for London have been unable to provide this Assembly with either the documented evidence we required from them, or satisfactory answers at the meeting today, to justify exactly what Mr Kiley is doing to earn his truly extraordinary fee.
"For this reason, we have no option but to call on the Audit Commission in the hope it will be able to shed some light on what seems to be a very murky deal indeed.
"In the meantime Transport for London should not hand over another penny. The current contract arrangements are absolutely unsustainable - no further payment should be made to Mr Kiley and Transport for London should renegotiate the contract so any future payments are for work he has actually done."
The amended motion, which was proposed by Mike Tuffrey AM, in full says:
"This Assembly notes the answers to the questions asked.
The Assembly expresses serious concern at the lack of transparency surrounding the consultancy deal between Transport for London and Bob Kiley.
This Assembly believes that, in light of the secrecy surrounding the contract and the failure of the Mayor and senior TfL officers to outline any tangible benefit to Londoners, the exorbitant sums involved in the agreement are not justified.
This Assembly further notes with grave concern that there is no record of the number of days Mr Kiley has worked, the meetings he has attended or even the advice he has given. Mr Kiley himself told the Evening Standard newspaper "If you ask what I actually do to earn my consultancy, I'd have to tell you, in all honesty not much".
This Assembly therefore calls on the Chair of Transport for London and the Board of Transport for London to stop any pending payments to Mr Kiley and to renegotiate the contract so he is only paid for work actually done.
The Assembly instructs the Chair of the Assembly to ask the Audit Commission to investigate the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of all payments made to Mr Kiley since 1 February 2006 and to make recommendations for corrective action.
The Assembly believes that in future the board of Transport for London should approve all the terms of any such consultancy agreement(s), not the Chair of Transport for London alone, and that these agreements be reported to the London Assembly in advance."
Press release: Fri 11th May 2007
This week the Mayor of London formally approved plans for a London Low Emission Zone, to be launched in February 2008.
Mike Tuffrey, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly group and Environment Spokesperson, welcomed the initiative which would help to cut emissions from some of the most polluting vehicles on London's roads, but called for the scheme to be taken further.
Mike Tuffrey said:
'The LEZ is a step forward for London, helping to reduce some of the 1000 premature deaths caused each year by poor air quality. It is regrettable that some of the most important aspects of the scheme have been downgraded from original proposals however. Not only has the timeframe for heavier vehicles to meet Euro IV requirements slipped but the scheme has also failed to include standards on NOX and ultrafine particles (Pm 2.5)'
'The LEZ alone is not going to make London compliant with EU air quality standards. London needs to monitor the progress of similar schemes introduced in other European cities. We need to look towards incorporating cars and petrol vehicles to encourage the more widespread adoption of clean engine technologies and a move away from fossil fuels'.
Press release: Wed 18th Apr 2007
Commenting on the decision of the Liberal Democrats to turn down the approach of David Cameron suggesting a joint candidate for the Mayoral election next year, Mike Tuffrey, Leader of the London Assembly Liberal Democrat group, said:
"Ming Campbell was right to turn down this ill-judged offer. Londoners deserve a proper contest. The Liberal Democrat team at the London Assembly look forward to working with whoever is chosen to stand as the Liberal Democrat Mayoral candidate because, as Ken Livingstone himself has admitted, the current mayor is not unbeatable. While the Party continues with its mayoral selection, we at City Hall will continue to highlight the current mayor's record: his failure to deliver on his promises; his excessive Council Tax; and his lack of action in tackling the real problems Londoners care about."
For further Liberal Democrat comment see: http://www.libdems.org.uk/news/london-deserves-a-liberal-choice-for-mayor-davey.12435.html
Press release: Thu 22nd Mar 2007
This week the Government finally announced its support for a £2bn Thames sewage tunnel. Mike Tuffrey, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and Environment Spokesman at the London Assembly, welcomed the decision as long over due:
"The UK is already in breach of EU law because of Government dithering and there are real question marks as to whether the waterways around the Olympic park will be sewage free by 2012. Although there is light at the end of the tunnel for London's supersewer, I am shocked that having dragged their feet for 7 years, DEFRA have still not reached a decision on who is going to pay and when the building will commence."
He also expressed concern about the likely impact on consumers - with water rates estimated to rise by around £40 a year: " Whatever the end decision, London water bill payers cannot be expected to foot the £2bn bill. The project should instead be paid for primarily from the massive profits made by the water companies and subsidised by central government."
From the London Assembly Mike Tuffrey, and at a European level Sarah Ludford MEP, have worked together to put the maximum pressure on government to make this decision. This joint working will continue to try and ensure it's not Londoners, but the water companies and government who pick up the bill for this vital part of London's future infrastructure.
Press release: Wed 14th Mar 2007
Commenting on today's hearing in the London Assembly at which the Mayor's directors were invited to justify his travel expenses, Liberal Democrat Leader on the London Assembly, Mike Tuffrey, said:
"The Mayor and his officers are desperately trying to retrofit some form of justification to his ever-growing foreign trips. It has become increasingly clear that there was never a clear plan or strategy to his trips but more worryingly that there are few identifiable benefits for Londoners.
'The costs of the Mayor's foreign trips have increased tenfold in the last few years, but sadly the return our capital is getting out of it has not. The truth is that Ken Livingstone is suffering from the typical syndromes of an arrogant second term president: he risks neglecting both the domestic priorities Londoners care about and good relations with countries that matter to London, in favour of self-promotion."
Press release: Tue 27th Feb 2007
Commenting on the launch on the Mayor's Climate Change Action Plan today, in which for the first time the Mayor advocated Liberal Democrat policies by opposing the expansion of UK airports and calling for a fuel duty to be levied on aviation fuel, Mike Tuffrey, Leader of the Group and Environment Spokesman said:
"While I welcome today's action plan, there are some very real questions to be asked about London's ability to meet its commitments on carbon emissions; exponential growth in aviation will swamp progress on other topics. Until now the Mayor has paved the way for further runway capacity in the South East and he's only come out against expansion at Heathrow now he knows his government is giving it the green light. Without a radical change of heart from the Labour Government and real commitment, the action plan is barely worth the paper it's written on."
Press release: Wed 14th Feb 2007
At the meeting held today to consider the Mayor of London's budget for 2007-2008, London Assembly Liberal Democrats tabled an amendment that would have meant a below inflation rise in the Mayor's share of the Council Tax, rather than the 5.3% increase Mayor Livingstone was proposing.
The Liberal Democrat amendment proposed mayoral spending concentrated on creating a sustainable, safer and affordable city. The Liberal Democrats stressed that their budget proposals would not mean any cuts in front line services, no reduction in free or concessionary travel schemes or cancellation of events important to Londoners.
Mike Tuffrey Lib Dem Leader at the London Assembly highlighted 3 key policies that his group would like to see the Mayor adopt.
Mike Tuffrey said:
"Since the Mayor came to office in 2000 his share of the average Londoner's Council Tax bill has risen from £123 to £304. We want him to listen seriously to our plans, including a reduction in bus fares before 7.30am, introducing a network of bus services throughout London on Christmas Day and working with the boroughs with the poorest records to increase recycling rates.
"The Mayor can do this, protect the police and fire budget and continue his environmental measures but should cut out a lot of waste and self-promotion. If he so chooses Londoners need only have a rise in the GLA' share of Council Tax bills half of what Livingstone is proposing. When will he finally listen?
Press release: Tue 30th Jan 2007
The London Assembly Liberal Democrats have put forwards proposals at today's GLA Budget meeting to cut the Mayor's take on London's council tax by half.
The Liberal Democrat amendments to the Mayor's budget will deliver value for money whilst focussing on promoting more sustainable city as well as developing a more integrated transport system, geared to help the most deprived section of Londoners.
Mike Tuffrey, Liberal Democrat Leader on the London Assembly, said:
"The Mayor's share of the Council Tax has risen from £123 to £304 since he came to office in 2000 and is badly hitting many hard working London families. With our budget amendment Londoners will get enhanced public services at half the increased cost.
'We have concentrated this year on tackling one of the major areas of importance to Londoners - how do we make London one of the worlds most environmentally sustainable cities?
'We are calling on the Mayor to invest an additional £25 million in working with the 5 worst performing boroughs in the capital to develop a Material Reclamation Facility (MRFs) in each area with the capacity to sort 40,000 tonnes per year of recyclable material. This will double the number of MRFs already in operation across London and start to deal with London's waste in some of the poorest areas of our city.
'We are also calling on the Mayor to bring in measures to enable the poorest section of London to access the public transport network. We advocate reducing the cost of bus travel between 5am and 7.30am to promote social inclusion and enable people to access employment opportunities. This will also reduce peak morning congestion on the bus network. In addition, by scrapping schemes that are clearly unwanted by local residents around London, such as the West London Tram, and deferring expenditure on the Thames Gateway Bridge, we would put more money into road safety, the development of school travel plans and the seed corn funding of school car sharing schemes to start in the new academic year."
Press release: Wed 17th Jan 2007
Commenting on the suspension of a London Assembly plenary scrutinising the Mayor's senior staff about his international travel costs, Liberal Democrat Leader on the London Assembly, Mike Tuffrey, said:
"The Mayor's spinning is now totally out of control. Issuing backhanded comments on distorted versions of what Assembly Members have said is not going to help him get out of the mess he's in.
'Not only does he not give Londoners the full facts about his trips when questioned by the Assembly, but his staff are just as irresponsible and economical with the truth when held to account for their actions.
'We all accept the Mayor needs to travel abroad to promote London and its business but too many times the Mayor and his staff are highly secretive about his foreign trips. It is the job of the London Assembly to hold the Mayor to account on behalf of Londoners. All the Assembly was seeking to do this morning was explore with the Mayor's staff how effective the Mayor and other GLA staff members were in promoting London abroad."