Boris Johnson’s taxi extravaganza: the case for the defence is, er…, weak

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Boris Johnson’s taxi extravaganza: the case for the defence is, er…, weak

By Mark Pack | Tue 3rd March 2009 - 12:25 pm

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Last month I blogged about some of the extravagant costs run up by London Mayor Boris Johnson for one of his public meetings. Tory Troll’s more detailed story was picked by the Daily Mail, who in turn have flushed out a rather weak defence from Boris’s team.

I particularly like the reference to a 15 minutes bus ride, as if such a journey taken in west London in the middle of the evening is akin to expecting people to walk barefoot for 20 miles during the middle of the night. No it isn’t Boris, it’s what the rest of us do all the time.

Running up expenses is of course nothing new for Conservatives at the GLA. Enter stage left, Conservative Assembly Member Brian Coleman.

Read more by Mark Pack or more about boris johnson, brian coleman or tory troll.
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4 Comments

Rob Atkins 3rd Mar '09 - 12:32pm

But it all rathers pales in the shade of Brown’s PR stunt visit to touch the hem of the messiah Obama. How much carbon is being wasted to fuel his hot air ?

Brown should have read his own horoscope this morning : “Your stars are in steep decline. Not a good day for travel; stay at home instead and resign”.
Kit Kowol 3rd Mar '09 - 1:00pm

Dear Mark,

Very interesting as ever. I am not sure if you recall but I emailed you last year about potentially interviewing you for a dissertation on Opinion Polling and Political Innovation? Although at the time time-pressure meant that I didn’t have a chance to do that, I am now working on developing the project for my MA and would love the chance to ask you some very brief questions. Alas, though I have lost your email address and this seems to be the only way I have found to contact you. Would you be able to send me an email to [email protected] if you are able to do this?

Many thanks,

Kit Kowol
Tom 3rd Mar '09 - 3:41pm

Not sure I get it, Rob – are there regular bus services across the Atlantic he could have taken, or something?

Yes, this is a local issue, but then it’s local politics. On the other hand, the Prime Minister and a new US President meeting for the first time is a fairly important global moment, however much of a fool the PM is being domestically.
Mark Pack 3rd Mar '09 - 5:46pm

I’ve dropped you an email Kit.