Reply from Bozza's office on boot camps and boxing

I have today received the following official response to my enquiries about Boris Johnson's proposals for boot camps and boxing clubs for young people identified as potential offenders. (You will find my full questions in my earlier posting "No reply from Press Office"):

“As you've rightly identified yourself, the Mayor's proposals to combat youth crime raise a number of complex issues which have to considered carefully before the final policy is put in place. It would be wrong to implement any policies prematurely, but the top priority for the Mayor is to tackle the wave of senseless, violent killings amongst young people in our city.

"The Mayor is presently assessing a number of initiatives aided by Kit Malthouse Deputy Mayor for Policing and Ray Lewis, Deputy Mayor for Young People. Once a thorough assessment of these proposals have taken place, then further detailed plans will be announced. The Mayor hopes Londoners will begin to see an end to the horrific crimes devastating the lives of people across the capital."

Bozza’s first week – 7 out of 10

“Bringing an all-women group of Guinean soldiers to Trafalgar Square for an Africa Day festival. Having a mug of tea with firefighters from Dagenham. Calling your transport commissioner "mate". Cycling to work. Mocking "crazed Thatcherite neocons". Appointing a black deputy for young people. Is this really the first week's work for London's new mayor, dubbed the most rightwing office holder in Britain by one disgruntled London assembly member?”, asks Patrick Barkham in The Guardian. (http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/may/10/localgovernment.boris)

There is little doubt Boris has wrong-footed some of critics with his energetic first week and inclusive media initiatives. He launched a raft of populist policies, including a “Forensic Audit Panel” designed to cut costs at City Hall, and promised to cut advertising budgets and deploy the savings to tackle antisocial behaviour on public transport.

However questions are being raised whether some of his plans will actually work. There are few details of his headline-grabbing proposals for boot camps and boxing clubs to curb teenage crime. His proposal to abolish affordable homes targets sits uncomfortably with his campaign pledges (http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/article/?id=1450081). Banning alcohol on the tube may be harder than he predicts as “staff working for Transport for London and British Transport Police will not have the power to fine passengers, and officials admitted that there would not be regular patrols of carriages.” (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article3890097.ece)

Yet that didn’t stop Labour immediately stealing the idea. And that is perhaps the point. Johnson has struck a note with Londoners, and indeed people everywhere. He has even – as The Independent suggests – helped make it “cool to be a conservative”. (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/right-on-so-is-it-finally-cool-to-be-a-conservative-825510.html)

The stakes are very high. “The aim,” says Iain Dale, “has got to be for David Cameron to be able to point to Boris and say "what Boris has done for London, I want to do for the country". (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2008/05/09/do0907.xml)

Whether Boris can stand being under this kind of spotlight is the question many people – and Labour people in particular – will be asking. Sunder Katwala, writing in the New Statesman, suggests perhaps not: “London's new mayor must spend two years as a closely guarded hostage of the Cameron makeover squad… what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” (http://www.newstatesman.com/200805080016)

In 3 months time, commentators will give their own review of the Mayor’s first 100 days in office. For his first week, BozzaWatch gives him 7 out of 10.

2 new polls

BozzaWatch would like you to vote on 2 new questions please:
1. Should Boris Johnson's father stand for Parliament in the Henley by-election?
2. What did you think of Boris Johnson's performance in his first week as London Mayor?
Thank you

Orgasms and sunshine

Rachel Johnson has promised that her big brother will bring London "many years of Boris-induced sunshine", whilst his effect on the Tory Party is already to have "brought them to a collective orgasm".
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/elect-one-johnson-and-you-might-get-more-than-you-bargained-for-825839.html

Why Bozza’s 1st marriage collapsed..

The Daily Mail carries a feature into why Boris Johnson’s marriage to Allegra Mostyn-Owen failed. Allegra’s mother, Italian writer Gaia Servadio, claims: “Boris is a man who needed someone very obedient and silent.”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=565508&in_page_id=1879

Bozza launches cost-cutting review

The London Mayor has contracted a “Forensic Audit Panel” to report within 30 days on where cuts can be made in “bureaucracy”. There will be a more “market-led approach to social and economic regeneration” in future, according to Stephen Greenhalgh, the leader of Hammersmith and Fulham council.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/boris_johnson/1944650/Boris-Johnson-starts-City-Hall-cuts.html

It was the Guardian wot won it!

Siobhain Butterworth on how it was all the ‘ironic’ attacks by Guardianista commentators on Bozza that helped him win the London Mayor elections! (This article is for real, by the way). http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/may/12/pressandpublishing

Ad agencies worried by Bozza

Claire Beale, editor of Campaign magazine, says that marketing agencies are concerned they could lose out as Boris Johnson focuses resources on his priorities. “Faced with a choice of funding more police officers on the streets or buying more advertising, Johnson seems to favour the former,” says Claire Beale in today’s Independent. “The estimated £16.5m cost of his policy of more officers patrolling Tube stations and buses will steal money from the Transport for London and Metropolitan Police ad budgets.”
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/comment/claire-beale/claire-beale-on-advertising-826066.html

No reply from press office

I’ve been having trouble getting details from Boris Johnson’s office on his plans for boot camps and boxing clubs for unruly youths. I wrote to the press office on May 6: “Some people will ask whether teaching boxing to young people identified as prone to committing violent crime may backfire? Could i have an official response to this?”

I also asked for more detail on the proposed ‘boot camps’ including numbers of places, the course curriculum, proposed locations, who will nominate the youngsters, and criteria for nomination. No reply.

Having initially been so helpful, this is slightly disappointing. But I'm sure it's just an oversight.

Poll result – Bozza was gracious

Thank you to everyone who voted in the BozzaWatch poll which asked what you thought of Boris Johnson’s acceptance speech. The vast majroty – 71% - thought it was “gracious”, and 25% thought it was “inspiring”. Only 7% thought it was “pompus” and 3% “boring”.

Boot camps and boxing clubs to cut crime

Troubled teenagers should be sent to 'boot camps’ to stop them going off the rails, Boris Johnson said today.
He unveiled plans to set up 100 weekend courses across the Capital during a visit to a fire station in Dagenham this morning.
The mayor also wants to see dozens of new boxing clubs set up to teach young people self-defence without turning to weapons.
Johnson said his schemes would provide youngsters with "competition, discipline and punishment."
He also criticised the children's rights lobby. "Someone needs to sound a word of caution about the expansion of children’s rights, because there are now many London parents who worry that they are statutorily forbidden from offering any kind of discipline at all," he added. "That someone should be the mayor."

Bozza won't be bossed about - Cameron

David Cameron said today he would not try to control what Boris Johnson did as mayor of London. "The lesson I learnt from watching the early stages of devolution with Tony Blair was that if you believe in devolution, you have to let them get on with the job. "The way Blair tried to micro-manage Alun Michael (the former First Minister of Wales) was a disaster for both of them."
When asked if London under Johnson would be a "test bed" for Conservative policies, Cameron said he did not like the phrase because it made it sound as if the voters were part of a laboratory experiment. But he said that, in areas like crime mapping and cutting City Hall costs, Johnson would be adopting policies that the Conservatives wanted to implement nationwide.

BozzaWatch update

BozzaWatch is now on Facebook, where you can visit our page and also our group and leave your views and comments on the Mayor's performance.
Don't forget to vote in our poll on what you thought of Boris' acceptance speech. Today's the final day!

Bozza’s Sikh connections

In a move clearly intended to begin building bridges with London’s ethnic minorities, Boris Johnson joined Sikhs at a cultural event on Sunday to mark Baisakhi in Trafalgar Square. Johnson’s wife, barrister Marina Wheeler, is half-Sikh on her mother’s side. Her mother was an Indian Sikh who had married BBC journalist Sir Charles Wheeler. At the Baisakhi celebrations, Mr Johnson pledged to work for all communities and to unite the city in his new role as the mayor.

Bozza's Dad for Parliament?

"Stanley Johnson, father of Boris, told The Times that he hoped to contest the seat for Henley-on-Thames held by his son.."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article3872845.ece

Bozza’s 10 key challenges (Daily Telegraph)

Today’s Daily Telegraph lists some of the key challenges facing the new Mayor.
Crime: He has promised big cuts, but how will he get on with Sir Ian Blair, who was close to Ken Livingstone?
Buses: He has promised to get rid of the "bendy buses" but critics say the plan is unaffordable and untested.
Community Cohesion: will need to work hard to build bridges with London’s ethnic minorities.
Gaffes: will he able to contain himself, will his inner self get the better of him, will there be straisn between him and his “media minders” (and Tory Central Office)??
Bureaucracy: He has promised to slash jobs at City Hall but this may prove more difficult and expensive than anticipated.
The 2012 Olympics: he will have to work with Tessa Jowell and the Labour Government to keep costs under control and maintain the project’s credibility.
Housing: Has promised investment in affordable housing, but needs the support of London’s borough councils to deliver.
Health: His manifesto promises a healthier London but his powers do not include delivering health policy.
Money: Depends on the budget for funds, which will inevitably mean having to renegotiate with political enemies.
David Cameron: On the one hand Bozza has to show that he is putting London above his party. On the other must avoid accusations of “splits” with the Tory leadership.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/boris_johnson/1927234/Boris--Johnson's-key-challenges-as-London-mayor.html

“Brown should learn from Bozza”

Jon Cruddas, who ran for deputy leader of the Labour Party, says Gordon Brown is too “mechanistic” and should try to emulate Boris Johnson’s more “emotional” style if he is to re-connect with the voters.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/boris_johnson/1930093/Gordon-Brown-must-learn-from-Boris-Johnson,-says-John-Cruddas.html

Bozza’s first public engagement

Boris Johnson will today meet young people in East London who are on a course where they learn vital fire-fighting skills.

The Local Intervention Fire Education or “LIFE” course teaches 13 to 17 year olds how to rescue victims and use equipment such as breathing apparatus.

Johnson will be at Dagenham Fire Station this morning. He will be joined by Ray Lewis, the Deputy Mayor for Young People, and London’s Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson.

Day One..

Boris Johnson is at his new desk at City Hall and working today, his first day as London’s Mayor, his press office have confirmed this morning. Most of today will be spent in a team meeting with key advisers discussing how to start delivering on his manifesto pledges.

The new Mayor has already met last Saturday with Police, Fire and Transport Commissioners to agree plans to ban alcohol on the Tube and bringing in extra transport PCSOs.

He will be meeting with New York City’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg later this week.

In a statement to BozzaWatch!, Boris Johnson said: "I have instructed members of my team to crack on with implementing our manifesto pledges as soon as we are physically able to do so. My initial meeting with the Commissioners went very well and I am encouraged that they have already put some thought into how they intend to deliver the changes that London so badly deserves”.

Boris' 1st day at the office

Rang up the Mayor's Press Office to ask if he would be coming into the office today. (I know it's a bank holiday, but he technically became Mayor at 00.01 this morning, so worth asking). I was promised a call back from a helpful press officer letting me know his schedule. I'll keep you posted...

Boris - the difference between a majority and a hung parliament?

Boris Johnson will be the difference between an overall majority for David Cameron at the next general election, or a hung parliament.

Political pundits, and the Conservatives’ opponents, will of course be scrutinising a man known for his colourful personality for any sign of “relapse” into the gaffes that have chequered his political career to date.

But they will also be watching the new Mayorlty closely for signs that the Tories’ national policies – some of which will doubtless be piloted-tested on Londoners – are not the vote-winners David Cameron believes. And perhaps most significantly, they will be waiting for indications of any tensions and divisions between the modernising platform that is Cameron’s, and some of the more radical positions supported by Johnson and others within the Tory Party.

Environmental issues and immigration are two areas where such tensions may arise. Boris made clear during his campaign that he would be watering down some of Ken Livingstone’s policies on taxing car pollution. This may be difficult to reconcile with Cameron’s bid to promote the Conservatives as the electable green party committed to fighting climate change.

It is difficult to see that Labour can recover sufficiently from last week's nadir to challenge seriously for No.10 at the next election. But as the only Tory wielding real power, Boris Johnson's performance at City Hall could provide a welcome boost for the Liberal Democrats if the worst predictions about his abilities and his temperament prove true.

Johnson becomes mayor of London - BBC

Boris Johnson has officially taken up the post of London mayor. Mr Johnson's reign began at midnight, when he accepted the seals of office from predecessor Ken Livingstone, mayor for the past eight years.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7383521.stm

Taking office

Boris only officially becomes Mayor at midnight tonight, but there is already speculation as to his first appointments. However I should point out that the suggestion that he will be asking Dame Shirley Porter to be his special adviser on housing is false. And naughty. (source: thespoof.com)

Boris’ family in the spotlight

In a sign that the media could try to use Boris Johnson’s family members to provide amusing but embarrassing insights into the new London Mayor, today’s Independent on Sunday (along with other newspapers) carries a report that “his sister Rachel told BBC News 24 on Friday that supporters had been drinking champagne and eating oysters … more than six hours before the result was announced.”

It also quotes Johnson's father, Stanley: "He's very good at Greek and Latin and I can tell you something – if you can do Greek and Latin you can do anything, certainly run a city like London."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/cameron-fears-loose-cannon-johnson-will-hit-his-hopes-of-winning-the-next-election-820852.html

Cameron "fears Boris will hit Tories’ chances of winning nationally"

The Independent on Sunday runs a piece today alleging that Conservative leader David Cameron fears Boris is a “loose cannon” who could damage his hopes of becoming Prime Minister. In the article, Jane Merrick says that Cameron and his aides are “privately uneasy” that the road to No.10 could suddenly be “obstructed by an unpredictable and gaffe-prone Mayor”.

They are also worried that Boris could thwart Cameron’s attempts to present himself as the “greenest” candidate at the next election. Johnson is seeking to water down the capital's congestion charge scheme and taxes on drivers of high-polluting cars. The Tory leader is also said to be concerned by Boris’ stance on immigration.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/cameron-fears-loose-cannon-johnson-will-hit-his-hopes-of-winning-the-next-election-820852.html

Boris’ programme – London as the Tories’ guinea-pig?

The Sunday Telegraph says that Boris “will launch a Conservative revolution” by introducing a series of pilot reforms in London and use the capital as a testing ground for policies that would be introduced nationally by a future Tory government.

Johnson is expected to emphasise crime reduction measures such as knife arches and weapon scanners for Tube and rail stations as he unveils his programme for London over the next few days, according to press reports. The Press Association adds that he will make efforts to build bridges with London's ethnic minorities, after criticism that he was seen by ethnic minorities as a “divisive” candidate.

Boris’ BBC interview

We got a glimpse of Boris’ first day at the office in this BBC interview (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7380947.stm). He was gracious to his opponents, and spelt out some of his policy priorities, such as tackling crime on public transport and implementing cost controls on the London Olympics (“boot me out with gusto in 4 years if I haven’t delivered”). He sported his trademark ruffled hair and crumpled suit, but at the end of a long campaign – and a long count – he could be forgiven for looking less than sharp.

However what was most interesting about the interview – and perhaps the most worrying from Conservative Party HQ’s view – was his tetchy reaction to being asked whether he would continue to be the “real Boris”, comparing it to an “Arian controversy”. Whilst it may be entertaining to see senior politicians lose their rag from time to time, it is not edifying, and will leave him wide open to opponents and detractors looking to expose and exploit his weaknesses.

He must expect to be pressed on the “real Boris” question time and again, at least in the short term until interviewers get bored and move on, and will need to develop a polished way of dealing with it. However his BBC performance suggest he needs not so much the services of media training consultants as those of an anger management therapist.

How the international press reported Boris' victory

The local election results and Boris Johnson's victory have been widely reported in the international press. If Londoners love Boris' unconventional style, the tone of reporting suggests he may need to make changes to his public image on the global stage to protect London's reputation. CNN's story is typical (http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/05/03/london.mayor.ap/index.html). Headlined "Eccentric maverick wins London mayoral vote", it profiles some of his past controversies, and points out that "as mayor, he will be expected to attend at least part of the Beijing Olympics -- and his party will hope he is able to avoid offending the hosts."

Closer to home, his political opponents will be scrutinising his behaviour and utterances with forensic precision in the hope of proving to voters that the Tories in government are more "Bozza" than the sure-footed, modern image David Cameron seeks to project. On BBC Radio 5 this morning, Boris Johnson's sister was quoted as saying that they had celebrated his victory with "Champagne, caviar and oysters", a claim strongly denied by Johnson's father. But a sign of the battle to come...

Boris' campaign - the verdict

So what’s the verdict on Boris’ campaign? One thing is for sure – Tory activists were motivated and organised, and got the vote out. And perhaps contrary to expectations, Boris stayed on-message throughout, and made intelligent contributions to the debate about London’s future. On the other hand Livingstone was, surprisingly, made to look tired and worn.

The question Londoners (and others) will be asking is: now he’s won, what are Boris’ priorities going to be? And what will his style of leadership be? There have been flashes of irritation during the campaign which he will need to temper if he is to withstand the pressures of being under the spotlight 24/7, which he will undoubtedly be, and even more so than his predecessor.

What Boris arguably needs to do is to make the transition from self-styled “affable character” to a statesman worthy of being London’s representative to the world when the Olympics come to town in 2012. Plus he must have a clear vision of how to make measurable improvements to the quality of life of all his constituents, both suburban and inner-city.

Reactions

Reactions to Boris’ victory have been, well, mixed – as you might perhaps expect. Here’s a selection from the blogosphere:
http://jesurgislac.wordpress.com/2008/05/03/turn-again-boris-dickhead-of-london/
says Boris is a George W. Bush clone: a sort of Nice-But-Dim
http://bryndlewindle.blogspot.com/2008/05/boris-johnson-from-liverpools-nemesis.html asks if his election could make things more difficult for the Tories in the North or anywhere that Boris has insulted in the past
http://the-daily-pundit.blogspot.com/2008/05/will-boris-ditch-cameron.html predicts tensions between Boris and Conservative HQ “media minders” who will be keen to keep the new Mayor “on-message”
In a thoughtful piece, http://southbelfastdiary.blogspot.com/2008/05/if-boris-is-answer-what-was-question.html asks: “If Boris is the answer, what was the question?”
Meanwhile, http://formerhuman.wordpress.com/2008/05/03/boris-johnson-mayor-of-london-run-for-the-hills/ says that Boris’ acceptance speech suggests the new Mayor is under-estimated, both as a human being and as a politician, although he adds that he feels some of those who voted for Boris did it out of “curiosity”…

Hello and welcome to BozzaWatch!

As arguably Britain’s most powerful Conservative politician, London’s new Mayor Boris Johnson will give us a glimpse of what a future Tory government may bring. BozzaWatch will be keeping an eye on developments in the capital and asks: are the Tories a breath of fresh air, with the policies to revive Britain’s fortunes and tackle key global challenges; or are they another well-oiled PR machine with policies that will only benefit the rich and powerful?