Silence Speaks Louder Than Words
Posted on 16. Sep, 2008 by Richard Barnbrook in Latest News
Here, as well as my oral question, are the “answers” to my written questions submitted to Mayor Boris for the London Assembly meeting on September 10th. As you you can see the response can at best be described as “evasive” and I must say I am rather disappointed.
It appears that Mayor Boris doesn’t like interacting with me at all and perhaps I remind him of what he should and desires to be rather than the politician he is currently having to pretend to be. I’ll let you all make your minds up about this, but as the old adage goes, sometimes silence speaks louder than words.
Notting Hill Carnival
Question No: 1697 / 2008
Richard Barnbrook
Can the Mayor comment on the shocking level of violence and intimidation directed towards Metropolitan Police Officers during this year´s Notting Hill Carnival? Considering the astronomical costs, the policing bill alone exceeding £6 million, which falls upon the taxpayers of London, can the Mayor assure the people of this city that the suspension of this event is an option available to him?
Notting Hill Carnival (2)
Question No: 1698 / 2008
Richard Barnbrook
In the light of the fact that the total budget for next year’s London St George’s Day celebrations amounts to £100K, can the Mayor provide us with the total amount of public money that this year was directed towards the Notting Hill Carnival?
The total public money (GLA/LDA) that was directed towards the Notting Hill Carnival was £125k. This GLA spend was a funding agreement towards supporting the stewarding operation of Notting Hill Carnival, an integral part of this community delivered event.
A separate, but related, event to Notting Hill Carnival (Panorama/Carnival in the Park), which was held in Hyde Park over the ‘Carnival weekend’, received funding of £150k. This event aimed to relieve some of the ‘pressure’ of audience numbers, by enabling people to enjoy elements of the Carnival experience in a less crowded and intense environment.
Carnival attracts in excess of ¾ of a million visitors from very diverse backgrounds, from London, nationally and internationally. The event also has a wider economic value, as one of London’s largest outdoor events and its international appeal, being the largest Carnival in Europe and second largest in the world. This is much more than a community event and should be celebrated as one of London’s cultural and tourist assets.
The £100k budget for St George’s Day is in line with GLA funding given to other major community events we hold on Trafalgar Square, such as St Patrick’s Day and Chinese New Year.
Metropolitan Police Officers
Question No: 1699 / 2008
Richard Barnbrook
Considering the Mayor´s previous condoning of the banning of law-abiding British National Party members from the Metropolitan Police Force does the Mayor think that supporters of extreme left-wing or radical Islamic groups are acceptable as Metropolitan Police Officers?
As I have previously said I support the ban on BNP membership of the Metropolitan Police Service.
Religious celebrations
Question No: 1700 / 2008
Richard Barnbrook
From December 7th until December 31st City Hall has announced that it will be celebrating a minority religious festival. Will the Mayor explain what provisions he is making in order to celebrate Christmas – the main festival in the Christian calendar in the capital city of a traditionally Christian country?
I have asked officers to ensure there is a suitably jolly Christmas tree at City Hall.
Curriculum
Question No: 1701 / 2008
Richard Barnbrook
Labour Minister for Children, Kevin Brennan, has recently announced plans for a new curriculum that focuses on ethnic minorities and their impact on British history, which in my view amounts to the indoctrination of London schoolchildren. Besides teaching the children of London about the spread of Islam in Africa, Mr Brennan has also issued the following statement: `immigration, the Commonwealth and the legacy of the Empire put into a clear historical context… This can help pupils prepare for life in a diverse and multi-ethnic society’. As a former teacher, does the Mayor agree with me that focussing on the traditional 3 Rs approach to education is far more productive than what in my view is politically correct indoctrination?
Education policy is currently a matter for the government.
Olympic Tickets
Question No: 1702 / 2008
Richard Barnbrook
Can the Mayor assure the population of London that since a massive burden of the cost for the 2012 London Olympics will fall upon London Council Taxpayers concessionary tickets to the event will be made available to London Council Taxpayers as well as subsidised access to the ex-Olympic sports facilities after the event?
I am determined that tickets for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be accessible and affordable for Londoners and I am working closely with the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) to explore all the options for achieving this.
