Mayor Johnson appoints black deputy to help combat crime
London Mayor Boris Johnson marked his first day in office yesterday by appointing a black deputy to work "night and day" on a crime crackdown across the capital.
The appointment of Ray Lewis, a former prison governor, as Deputy Mayor for Young People was a symbolic first move by Mr Johnson to dispel allegations of racism that dogged him throughout the election campaign while serving to highlight his manifesto priority of reducing crime.
Mr Lewis is a director of the Eastside Young Leaders Academy, a project that helps young men heading towards a career in crime turn their lives around.
According to Metropolitan Police figures, 26 teenagers were murdered in London last year in stabbings and shootings and 12 young people have met violent deaths already this year, the latest on the evening that Mr Johnson ended Ken Livingstone's two-term incumbency of the Mayor's office.
"We face a wave of violent crime amongst young people in the capital. Kids are killing other kids. Ray will be part of my team who will work night and day until we put an end to this tragic trend," said Mr Johnson.
Tory strategists plan to use Mr Johnson's new high-profile position as a test-bed for Conservative initiatives that they can then point to as examples of how the party would govern the rest of the country if they repeat his success in a General Election.
The new mayor has already demanded tough action on crime in the city during his first meeting with Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair. Over the next few weeks, he will order hundreds more policemen to patrol the public transport system. He has also pledged to introduce weapon scanners at tube and railway stations and will set out plans to ban alcohol on the Underground and confiscate travel passes from offenders.
His New York counterpart, Michael Bloomberg, is to fly to London on Friday to offer Mr Johnson tips on how to cope with running one of the world's largest cities. Tories see the Bloomberg visit as a publicity coup that will add to Mr Johnson's new-found credibility.
Members of David Cameron's inner circle who were fearful that the gaffe-prone politician would self-destruct on the campaign trail are now so impressed by his discipline that they will use him as a springboard to the next election. The greatest danger for Mr Johnson now would be to suffer a "Mo Mowlam moment" and become more popular than the leader of his party, or simply say the wrong thing.
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Posted by: olaf the black, the longship on 10:04pm Mon 5 May 08
Scotlands Capital is Edinburgh so perhaps Crichton would do well to remember that the next time!!!!
Scotlands Capital is Edinburgh so perhaps Crichton would do well to remember that the next time!!!!
Posted by: GlasgowJim, Glasgow on 9:00am Tue 6 May 08
Torquil Crichton is the Herald's Chief [bold]UK[/bold] political correspondent. Perhaps Olf should remember that ;-)
Torquil Crichton is the Herald's Chief
UK political correspondent. Perhaps Olf should remember that ;-)
Posted by: physio, scotland on 9:17am Tue 6 May 08
WHO CARES[bold]bold[/bold]
Posted by: Ian, Dalbeattie on 9:29am Tue 6 May 08
I told you Ken Livingston might not have been the best man for the job.Good start Boris.
I told you Ken Livingston might not have been the best man for the job.Good start Boris.
Posted by: TheGlaswegian, Edinburgh on 10:17am Tue 6 May 08
Why is that a headline? WHat has the man's colour go to do with anything?
Why is that a headline? WHat has the man's colour go to do with anything?
Posted by: Pete McSpud, London on 3:03pm Tue 6 May 08
For starters, the deputy mayor has to be an assembly member, so I'm not really sure what Mayor Boggler is goind.
And it's so nice to see the dreary and parochial Nats not giving two stuffs about what goes on outside Scotland. Poor Old Them.
For starters, the deputy mayor has to be an assembly member, so I'm not really sure what Mayor Boggler is goind.
And it's so nice to see the dreary and parochial Nats not giving two stuffs about what goes on outside Scotland. Poor Old Them.
Posted by: TheGlaswegian, Edinburgh on 3:30pm Tue 6 May 08
Pete McSpud - the mayor of London... why should anyone outside London be too interested in that?
I take it you're clued up on all that's going on inside the City of Edinburgh council?
Pete McSpud - the mayor of London... why should anyone outside London be too interested in that?
I take it you're clued up on all that's going on inside the City of Edinburgh council?
Posted by: Pete McSpud, London on 3:39pm Tue 6 May 08
Funnily enough, yes. I do take an interest in what's going on in Edinburgh. I did live there for five years, after all.
The London election results, and indeed the English and Welsh local government election results, will have a significant bearing on the next UK general election. That's why they are of interest to people throughout the UK.
Are you genuinely not interested in anything which takes place outside of Scotland? I do hope not because that kind of tired parochialism is at best embarrassing and at worst indicative of the worst aspects of the Scottish social psyche.
Last time I was back in Glasgow I was harrangued by some lad wanting to know why I lived in London. "Whit's London got that Glasgow husnae?" he politiely enquired. "Well, it hasn't got you", was my reply.
Funnily enough, yes. I do take an interest in what's going on in Edinburgh. I did live there for five years, after all.
The London election results, and indeed the English and Welsh local government election results, will have a significant bearing on the next UK general election. That's why they are of interest to people throughout the UK.
Are you genuinely not interested in anything which takes place outside of Scotland? I do hope not because that kind of tired parochialism is at best embarrassing and at worst indicative of the worst aspects of the Scottish social psyche.
Last time I was back in Glasgow I was harrangued by some lad wanting to know why I lived in London. "Whit's London got that Glasgow husnae?" he politiely enquired. "Well, it hasn't got you", was my reply.
Posted by: olaf the black, the longship on 4:12pm Tue 6 May 08
What about Brit Nat parochialism and the embarrassing psyche of unionists McSpud?....I take it you are Brit Nat?
In your head
Scottish Nationalism....Bad
British Nationalism....Good
Also McSpud i take it you dont approve of Danish nationalism or Norwegian nationalism?
What about Brit Nat parochialism and the embarrassing psyche of unionists McSpud?....I take it you are Brit Nat?
In your head
Scottish Nationalism....Bad
British Nationalism....Good
Also McSpud i take it you dont approve of Danish nationalism or Norwegian nationalism?
Posted by: TheGlaswegian, Edinburgh on 4:14pm Tue 6 May 08
Pete McSpud - "Are you genuinely not interested in anything which takes place outside of Scotland"
LOL.
Sorry to disappoint but the story about Boris Johnston's deputy aint exactly big news up here. Both the lead up to, and his win were however. You seem a tad pent up…perhaps you're unhappy that Scots don’t bow to you?
Pete McSpud - "Are you genuinely not interested in anything which takes place outside of Scotland"
LOL.
Sorry to disappoint but the story about Boris Johnston's deputy aint exactly big news up here. Both the lead up to, and his win were however. You seem a tad pent up…perhaps you're unhappy that Scots don’t bow to you?
Posted by: Pete McSpud, London on 4:19pm Tue 6 May 08
[quote][bold]olaf the black[/bold] wrote:
What about Brit Nat parochialism and the embarrassing psyche of unionists McSpud?....I take it you are Brit Nat? In your head Scottish Nationalism....Bad British Nationalism....Good Also McSpud i take it you dont approve of Danish nationalism or Norwegian nationalism?[/quote] Excellent amateur psychology, Olaf. Only problem is that you are wrong on all counts. I'm not a Brit nat, I'm not a Scot nat, I'm a nothing and happy to be so.
I don't like parochialism of any shape or form. But, British parochialism isn't the issue here, it's Scottish parochialism.
Oh, and Glaswegian, what do you mean I expect Scots to bow to me? Oh, that's right. Because I live in London you assume I am English. Ah, right. Sorry, no. I'm a Glaswegian too.
olaf the black wrote:
What about Brit Nat parochialism and the embarrassing psyche of unionists McSpud?....I take it you are Brit Nat? In your head Scottish Nationalism....Bad British Nationalism....Good Also McSpud i take it you dont approve of Danish nationalism or Norwegian nationalism?
Excellent amateur psychology, Olaf. Only problem is that you are wrong on all counts. I'm not a Brit nat, I'm not a Scot nat, I'm a nothing and happy to be so.
I don't like parochialism of any shape or form. But, British parochialism isn't the issue here, it's Scottish parochialism.
Oh, and Glaswegian, what do you mean I expect Scots to bow to me? Oh, that's right. Because I live in London you assume I am English. Ah, right. Sorry, no. I'm a Glaswegian too.
Posted by: TheGlaswegian, Edinburgh on 4:29pm Tue 6 May 08
Pete McSpud, I did assume you were English - not because you lived in london but becuase you declared you expect Scots to be interested in Boris Johnstons deputy....
Why is it you think we should be queing up to debate this appointment?
(If you feel smug for acheiving something today then good for you - you should try to aim higher. )
Pete McSpud, I did assume you were English - not because you lived in london but becuase you declared you expect Scots to be interested in Boris Johnstons deputy....
Why is it you think we should be queing up to debate this appointment?
(If you feel smug for acheiving something today then good for you - you should try to aim higher. )
Posted by: Pete McSpud, London on 4:44pm Tue 6 May 08
I would hope that politically aware people will take an interest in what is going on around them. Scotland isn't indepenent yet and until that day (if it happens) what happens in London will, rightly or wrongly, have a resonance in Scotland. Johnson is now the second most high profile Tory in the UK and certainly the most powerful. The decisions he makes and the policies he carries out will have a real impact on how the Tories do in 2010. And this, in turn, will have a direct effect on Scotland.
And I'm really not feeling smug. As someone who is rather fond of his adopted home town, I am rather saddened that not only have Londoners voted in this right wing eejit, some of them have also seen fit to send the BNP to the Assembly too.
I would hope that politically aware people will take an interest in what is going on around them. Scotland isn't indepenent yet and until that day (if it happens) what happens in London will, rightly or wrongly, have a resonance in Scotland. Johnson is now the second most high profile Tory in the UK and certainly the most powerful. The decisions he makes and the policies he carries out will have a real impact on how the Tories do in 2010. And this, in turn, will have a direct effect on Scotland.
And I'm really not feeling smug. As someone who is rather fond of his adopted home town, I am rather saddened that not only have Londoners voted in this right wing eejit, some of them have also seen fit to send the BNP to the Assembly too.
Posted by: TheGlaswegian, Edinburgh on 5:04pm Tue 6 May 08
Pete McSpud, aye, Boris is a powerful man with a sizable budget.. He is a bit on the eccentric side and whether he is a fool or not will soon come to the fore.
I'm not a fan of the tories but Boris is fun and comes across as not too serious - he is far more likeable than any of the labour cabinet and unless he makes a complete pigs ear of it, he will only add to the already strong foundations for a tory win at the next general election.
I dont think the majority of the peope in the UK particulary want the tories in power - it's just that they can no longer give their vote to the labour party (and Gordon Brown in particular).
Pete McSpud, aye, Boris is a powerful man with a sizable budget.. He is a bit on the eccentric side and whether he is a fool or not will soon come to the fore.
I'm not a fan of the tories but Boris is fun and comes across as not too serious - he is far more likeable than any of the labour cabinet and unless he makes a complete pigs ear of it, he will only add to the already strong foundations for a tory win at the next general election.
I dont think the majority of the peope in the UK particulary want the tories in power - it's just that they can no longer give their vote to the labour party (and Gordon Brown in particular).
Posted by: Duns Scotus, The Borders on 5:08pm Tue 6 May 08
[bold]Pete McSpud[/bold] admits ... [quote]I'm a nothing[/quote]
I too am a Glaswegian and lived in London for years back in the 60s.
The worst Scots I encountered there were the ones who had a provincial outlook and demeaned their contrymen to curry favour with the Londoners. Billy Connolly springs to mind, as does Lulu's awful Mockney accent.
In spite of its incredibly mixed population I also found London to be the most parochial place I have ever visited (and I have been to 4 continents). London is a collection of villages not the throbbing heart of a great Empire.
The gemme's a bogey for London, McSpud.
Pete McSpud admits ...
I'm a nothing
I too am a Glaswegian and lived in London for years back in the 60s.
The worst Scots I encountered there were the ones who had a provincial outlook and demeaned their contrymen to curry favour with the Londoners. Billy Connolly springs to mind, as does Lulu's awful Mockney accent.
In spite of its incredibly mixed population I also found London to be the most parochial place I have ever visited (and I have been to 4 continents). London is a collection of villages not the throbbing heart of a great Empire.
The gemme's a bogey for London, McSpud.
Posted by: Pete McSpud, London on 5:30pm Tue 6 May 08
In fairness, Duns Scotus, that was in the 1960s. It has changed a wee bit since then. Being critical of attitudes that other Scots express doesn't mean that I am trying to curry favour with other Londoners. It means that I don't agree with every thing that every other Scot says. And what's so wrong with that?
I already said that I deplore parochialism, whether it is Scottish, London or whatever. I note that the Little Scotlanders have been quick to accuse others of this parochialism without having the honesty to face up to their own.
Glaswegian, the "Boris is fun" thing was one of the most infuriating things I heard during the election. He may well be fun, but he is also a reactionary right winger who was in favour of the Iraq war, against civil partnerships and is no friend of public transport, something London utterly relies on.
Ken wasn't perfect, not by a long shot, but at least he stood up for London. I'm not English, but as long as I live in an English city, I'll want someone who will shout its corner. Will Boris ever call the US Ambassador a "snivelling little weasel" for not paying the C-Charge? Doubt it.
In fairness, Duns Scotus, that was in the 1960s. It has changed a wee bit since then. Being critical of attitudes that other Scots express doesn't mean that I am trying to curry favour with other Londoners. It means that I don't agree with every thing that every other Scot says. And what's so wrong with that?
I already said that I deplore parochialism, whether it is Scottish, London or whatever. I note that the Little Scotlanders have been quick to accuse others of this parochialism without having the honesty to face up to their own.
Glaswegian, the "Boris is fun" thing was one of the most infuriating things I heard during the election. He may well be fun, but he is also a reactionary right winger who was in favour of the Iraq war, against civil partnerships and is no friend of public transport, something London utterly relies on.
Ken wasn't perfect, not by a long shot, but at least he stood up for London. I'm not English, but as long as I live in an English city, I'll want someone who will shout its corner. Will Boris ever call the US Ambassador a "snivelling little weasel" for not paying the C-Charge? Doubt it.
Posted by: John Hamilton, Pacific Quay on 8:13pm Tue 6 May 08
"Scotlands Capital is Edinburgh so perhaps Crichton would do well to remember that the next time!!!!"
Aye right, the pretendy wee 'capital' of Scotland. The real capital being 40 odd miles to the west....
The largest city of any country is always the more important/more interesting (something that Edinburgers still can't get their heads around).
The best location for Scotland's 21st Century parliament and seat of government would of course be STIRLING, not Scotland's 2nd city in the east.
"Scotlands Capital is Edinburgh so perhaps Crichton would do well to remember that the next time!!!!"
Aye right, the pretendy wee 'capital' of Scotland. The real capital being 40 odd miles to the west....
The largest city of any country is always the more important/more interesting (something that Edinburgers still can't get their heads around).
The best location for Scotland's 21st Century parliament and seat of government would of course be STIRLING, not Scotland's 2nd city in the east.
Posted by: Duns Scotus, The Borders on 8:34pm Tue 6 May 08
[bold]Pete McSpud[/bold] @ 5:30PM
I agree I'm well out of time - then it was "Swinging London" (not necessarily sex related), the Beatles and Carnaby Street. It was also the days of biennial visits by drunks wearing tartan. I lived in Wenbley Park, yards from the stadium and was astonished that the Londoners were so tolerant.
I found the English to be ignorant of Scotland but expressed with a sincerity and a warmth. That has probably cooled in recent years but can be re-built if we shed [italic]our[/italic] parochialism. The civic nationalism of the modern SNP helps, I think, and I detect a considerable lessening of anti-English sentiment in Scotland. (Still a long way to go.)
Now the thread above. Boris is a buffoon. If people are looking forward to his gaffes, they should realise that the clowning and his blond mullet are masks to hide his Old Etonian right wing policies.
I think a lot of people will come to rue the day they voted for this twit.
BTW, I remember Ken Livingston from the time I lived in London and he struck me as a man whose heart and soul belonged there. That was not parochialism - that was civic pride.
Pete McSpud @ 5:30PM
I agree I'm well out of time - then it was "Swinging London" (not necessarily sex related), the Beatles and Carnaby Street. It was also the days of biennial visits by drunks wearing tartan. I lived in Wenbley Park, yards from the stadium and was astonished that the Londoners were so tolerant.
I found the English to be ignorant of Scotland but expressed with a sincerity and a warmth. That has probably cooled in recent years but can be re-built if we shed
our parochialism. The civic nationalism of the modern SNP helps, I think, and I detect a considerable lessening of anti-English sentiment in Scotland. (Still a long way to go.)
Now the thread above. Boris is a buffoon. If people are looking forward to his gaffes, they should realise that the clowning and his blond mullet are masks to hide his Old Etonian right wing policies.
I think a lot of people will come to rue the day they voted for this twit.
BTW, I remember Ken Livingston from the time I lived in London and he struck me as a man whose heart and soul belonged there. That was not parochialism - that was civic pride.
Posted by: Strathturret, Montrose on 9:45pm Tue 6 May 08
no intelligent life on this thread then!
no intelligent life on this thread then!
Posted by: preddo53, leeds on 11:37pm Tue 6 May 08
London is a dump, the people are the most unpleasant Ive ever had the misfortune to meet. If you fell in the street I doubt anyone would pick you up, no I don't doubt it, I know it. They are selfish. arrogant, uncareing.Being a northerner I found they are on a different planet, they can't understand that some people are just nice, they think if you are a nice person you are after something. That's why they don't understand northerner's, because we are all nice, polite , friendly people.
London is a dump, the people are the most unpleasant Ive ever had the misfortune to meet. If you fell in the street I doubt anyone would pick you up, no I don't doubt it, I know it. They are selfish. arrogant, uncareing.Being a northerner I found they are on a different planet, they can't understand that some people are just nice, they think if you are a nice person you are after something. That's why they don't understand northerner's, because we are all nice, polite , friendly people.
Posted by: Donald Anderson, glasgow on 5:41am Wed 7 May 08
Why are British Nationalists always in denial of the their Brit Natteryism?
Why are British Nationalists always in denial of the their Brit Natteryism?
Posted by: Pete McSpud, London on 7:47am Wed 7 May 08
preddo, that is absolute cobblers and more to the point, it is cliche ridden cobblers. I could give you 101 examples of why it is cobblers but what's the point. You have formed your opinion of London on limited experience and nothing will change that.
Duns Scotus, the gutter press do try and whip up an anti-Scottish sentiment in England from time to time and it can be quite uncomfortable now and again. But I've lived in London for years and have worn Scottish football and rugby tops out and about and the only comment I've ever heard was "Well done for beating the French, mate"
And I think you've hit the nail on the head with the pride/parochialism question. I'm not a Nat but wanting what's best for your country/city/whateve
r is perfectly admirable. Ignoring everywhere else isn't.
preddo, that is absolute cobblers and more to the point, it is cliche ridden cobblers. I could give you 101 examples of why it is cobblers but what's the point. You have formed your opinion of London on limited experience and nothing will change that.
Duns Scotus, the gutter press do try and whip up an anti-Scottish sentiment in England from time to time and it can be quite uncomfortable now and again. But I've lived in London for years and have worn Scottish football and rugby tops out and about and the only comment I've ever heard was "Well done for beating the French, mate"
And I think you've hit the nail on the head with the pride/parochialism question. I'm not a Nat but wanting what's best for your country/city/whateve
r is perfectly admirable. Ignoring everywhere else isn't.
Posted by: stanislav, scotland on 1:22am Thu 8 May 08
Mr Pete McSpud has obviously wandered into the wrong place. This is not a forum but a 24/7 branch meeting of the SNP Brownshirts. Lovely stuff Pete, do keep it up, even though expectingmaturity, never mind intelligence hereabouts is like **** the wind.
Mr Pete McSpud has obviously wandered into the wrong place. This is not a forum but a 24/7 branch meeting of the SNP Brownshirts. Lovely stuff Pete, do keep it up, even though expectingmaturity, never mind intelligence hereabouts is like **** the wind.
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