Press Release

New Lib Dem Leader: New agenda for London

16 October 2007

Business organisation London First has offered a potential policy agenda for the candidates contesting the Liberal Democrat leadership: a Ten for Number 10, that lays out London business’ priorities for both capital and country.

Baroness Jo Valentine, chief executive of London First, said:

“The contest for a new Lib Dem leader offers the opportunity to reconsider the party’s agenda for London and for the UK economy.  Our Ten for Number 10 sets out priorities for London’s business community – the most important areas for action to maintain the global competitiveness of the UK’s capital.  London’s current success cannot be taken for granted. By adopting our proposals, the new party leader would commit to safeguarding UK economic well-being.”

Ten for No.10

1.      Make work pay – break the benefit trap, learning from Clinton in the US, and make a difference to inner London poverty
2.      Get people into jobs, not just classes – listen to employers, refocus skills training and give people the skills to win and hold down jobs
3.      Crossrail – keep Crossrail on track for 2017
4.      Don’t play games with the Olympic legacy – appoint an Olympics Legacy Executive to deliver long-term benefits for East London
5.      Don’t squeeze the Tube – Sort out Tube PPP problems, ring-fence enough funding for improvements and make rush hour more bearable
6.      Power to the people - give London’s elected politicians the tools to run London and slim down GOL (Government Office for London)
7.      Tackle the jams choking our roads – commit to road pricing and plough money raised back into our roads, buses and open spaces
8.      Streamline taxation – make it less complex and more attractive to new investment and high quality jobs
9.      Simplify planning – encourage more house and office building with simpler procedures and better resourced council planning departments
10. Wanted: talented allcomers – Manage migration to give London the best workforce and effective public services