Boris Promises to Keep Police Numbers High

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October 4th 2011

Boris Johnson has told LBC 97.3 he will keep police numbers high if he is re-elected.

The promise comes after he urged the Government to re-think its plans for cuts to the police in the wake of August's riots.

Meanwhile the Mayor is also urging the unions to accept a new pay deal for tube drivers.

They could see their pay top the £50,000 pound a year mark as part of a four-year wage deal  -  which includes a no strike agreement over wage disputes until 2015, ending fears of a walk out during next year's Olympic Games.

But Boris has been telling LBC 97.3 he doesn't think they will want to strike anyway.

"There's a very good deal on the table. It's got to be recommended now to their members and I hope very much that they'll accept it. I think that even if that deal wasn't there I really think, looking at the Olympics, looking at the chance to shine, the opportunity to show London off to the world, the chance to show all the improvements we are making to the tube system... I think people would be very reluctant to strike anyway but this I hope will make it even less likely."

The Mayor of London today addressed the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester and claimed that the capital could drive Britain's economic recovery - but only if investment in transport continues.

He told the assembled Party faithful, "Thanks to the common sense of this coalition Government, the settlement we got last year, we not only have the Tube upgrades, we have Crossrail and Thameslink, which is going to be as fantastic as Crossrail.

"I will not allow that investment and these vital improvements to be jeopardised for a short-term political gain."

Later adding, in a comment directed at the Prime Minister, "I give you the wheel deal: you help us to invest in transport infrastructure and we in London will supply the locomotive of the UK economy."

David Cameron earlier supported Boris's bid for a second term as London Mayor, telling LBC 97.3's Nick Ferrari this morning that "at a time of economic difficulty, I think he brings strong, charismatic leadership, he brings people together, he cheers people up."

However Mr Johnson's mayoral rival Ken Livingstone, who is the Labour candidate, has labelled Boris "out of touch" following his speech.

In a statement Mr Livingstone said the current Mayor is failing Londoners.

"He gave no hope to Londoners facing another steep fare rise this January, which will mean bus fares are up 56% under a Tory mayor, and gave no hard commitment on police numbers, which are in fact due to fall by 1,800 according to his own Metropolitan Police figures. Under the Conservatives, Londoners are less well off and increasingly less safe, under a moonlighting mayor who meets bankers more than the police. People in London are feeling the squeeze but Boris Johnson doesn't see it."