Fishburn Hedges

24.07.2008

Former Transport Minister and Mayoral candidate Steve Norris addressed a business and public sector audience at the latest Fishburn Hedges ‘What's Next?' event on Thursday 24 July, examining the proposition: ‘Conservative London, a blueprint for the UK under Cameron?'

In a typically outspoken and expansive conversation with Francis Elliott, Deputy Political Editor of The Times, Steve:

• Argued that David Cameron will keep a healthy distance from new Mayor Boris Johnson, and that in turn Boris must remain independent of the central Conservative Party in order to focus fully on the needs of Londoners
• Attributed Johnson's campaign success to his focus on making people feel good about their city, rather than single initiatives such as congestion charging
• Highlighted crime as the number one issue for Londoners from Brixton to Chelsea, backed the proposed crime-mapping initiative and called on the Metropolitan Police to focus on street-level crime
• Cited the Olympics as the make or break issue of Boris Johnson's term of office as they will be the current issue at the next election, and suggested that New Year celebrations in 2012 might take place at the Olympic Park
• And, on the prospect of a Cameron Government, Steve said Cameron is striking all the right notes, and argued that his recent personal responsibility speech showed an understanding of social mechanics, rather than a desire to moralise.