Boris Johnson - Bendy Buses? More like bendy policies.

6:00pm Tuesday 23rd September 2008

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I just listened to our mayor, Boris Johnson on the Vanessa Feltz phone in. It seems that Boris is rather less keen than his predecessor to be grilled by Londoners. Vanessa pointed out that Ken turned up once a month, come rain or shine. This is the first time Boris has been in, after 4 months. What did he have to say?

One of his keynote policies was to rid the capital of the Bendy Bus. Boris said on the campaign trail that these buses were dangerous and would cause congestion. He said his top priority was to get London moving, make it safe and get rid of them. When asked he announced that he had "the roadmap of doom". So when will they go? 2015 - in seven years time. It is clear that this no 1 priority is not so important now.

Why will it take so long? Because "we don't want contractors to rip us off". So it's OK for people to be exposed to delays and danger for another 7 years? There are plenty of european cities where they like bendy buses. Why not sell them off to them. We could then lease replacements at no greater cost. We'd take a hit, no doubt, but surely if he has the evidence to prove they are dangerous, this will be worth it. I suspect that in truth, now he's elected he's not that bothered.

What other insights came out? He was asked if it was a coincidence that he would be taking over the Metropolitan Police Authority immediately after the Jean Charles De Menezes inquiry finished (ie dodging all of the flak). Yes he replied, the timing was pure coincidence.

He was asked if it was acceptable that 15 teenagers had been stabbed since he'd taken over. Quite rightly, he replied "No it's not acceptable". He was asked what new measures he'd put in. His response "I support the use of stop and search tactics". Tellingly enough an old lady of 86 then rang to ask where all of the beat bobbies had gone since Ken left office. Boris said he didn't know. She said she didn't see them anymore and she went out every day.

Anyway don't take my word for it, go to the BBC London Website and you can listen to it there for yourself - www.bbc.co.uk/london/. I found it all rather depressing.