Lib Dems give Ken Livingstone an A+ for Self Publicity but a big D for Delivery

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 20th Sep 2002

The Mayor's first two years of office have been a major disappointment and a huge letdown for Londoners, according to a damning critique produced by the London Assembly Liberal Democrats.

'The Mayor's Half Term Report', to be launched this Sunday, details key areas such as transport and health where the Mayor has failed to deliver on the election promises that persuaded many Londoners to vote him into office.

Graham Tope, Leader of the London Assembly Lib Dems, said:

"Despite his pledge that 'the underground should be a showcase for the nation's capital', for example, there are only two brief mentions of upgrading and improving the existing Underground network in the Mayor's 15-year draft London Plan, and no targets set for specific improvements in frequency, reliability, safety and conditions of stations. This task he has left up to the London Assembly."

"He has made a big noise in the media about new ideas such as introducing a 70p flat rate bus fare throughout London, then dropped them when they proved not to be feasible - though without the media fanfare!"

"He has failed to tackle crucial issues facing London such as the recruitment crisis facing the NHS. A promised London-wide strategy to recruit nurses and other key staff has failed to materialise, despite the excellent work the London Assembly has done in this area with its 'Key issues for Key workers' report."

"His record on consulting and engaging the very people he was elected to serve is weak and uninspiring, given that the GLA is a new organisation that could provide an innovative example of good practise in this area."

Graham Tope added: "The Mayor has less than two years to turn things around. If his record does not improve in that time, the only real choice for Londoners will be to fail him and boot him out of office. They deserve more."

Click here to download (PDF document) the Foreword to the Mayor's Half Term Report

Click here to download (PDF document) the Mayor's Half Term Report