Category Archives: Boris Johnson

Two Merton police stations to close in latest Met cut-backs

Croydon, Sutton and Bromley stations among those to operate on reduced opening hours in future under the latest police budget cuts Wimbledon and Mitcham are among 10 London police stations facing permanent closure under the latest version of cost-cutting measures … Continue reading

Posted in Bexley, Boris Johnson, Bromley Council, Crime, Kingston, Lewisham, London-wide issues, Mayor of London, Merton, Policing, Sadiq Khan, Sutton Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Croydon on Met’s list of 20 police stations to remain open

Croydon is among the 20 police stations in London listed to stay open, in controversial closure plans released yesterday by the Metropolitan Police. Sutton, Kingston and Brixton police front counters will also be kept open under the plans. But Wimbledon, … Continue reading

Posted in Boris Johnson, Chris Philp MP, Crime, London-wide issues, Mayor of London, Policing, Sadiq Khan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

‘It has to be’: Westfield scheme needs millions of public money

UNDER THE FLYOVER: In our latest podcast interview, housing specialist Fiona Fletcher-Smith, now the volunteer chair of the Whitgift Foundation’s governors, discusses the housing crisis, the closure of Old Palace School, what’s happening with the long-promised ‘kiosks’ in the Allders … Continue reading

Posted in "Hammersfield", Allders, Boris Johnson, Business, Charity, Croydon Council, Fiona Fletcher Smith, Housing, Inside Croydon, London-wide issues, Mayor Jason Perry, Mayor of London, North End Quarter, Planning, Property, Sadiq Khan, Under The Flyover, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, Whitgift Centre, Whitgift Foundation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Charity fails to rule-out co-ed future for Trinity boys’ school

CROYDON IN CRISIS: After losses of £55m in just six years, the financial problems at the Whitgift Foundation could see bursaries axed for its world-famous boys’ choir. EXCLUSIVE by STEVEN DOWNES Trinity School, the £25,000 per year fee-paying boys’ school … Continue reading

Posted in "Hammersfield", Boris Johnson, Business, Gavin Barwell, Music, Old Palace, Schools, Trinity School, Whitgift Centre, Whitgift Foundation, Whitgift School | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Cash-strapped council misses out on millions in travel grants

Our transport correspondent, JEREMY CLACKSON, on how Mayor Perry’s pro-pollution, pro-car agenda has left Croydon pot-less, again Croydon, under pro-pollution Perry, its elected Mayor, is the only borough in the whole of London that has failed to apply for new … Continue reading

Posted in Boris Johnson, Commuting, Croydon Area Remodelling Scheme, Croydon Council, Croydon Cycling Campaign, Cycling, Environment, London-wide issues, Mayor Jason Perry, Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, Sian Berry, TfL, Transport | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Mayor Khan delivers another TfL fares freeze through to 2025

London Mayor Sadiq Khan is freezing all fares on Transport for London services until 2025, City Hall announced this morning. Mayor Khan’s office says people could save up to £90 a year under the plans, part of a £123million investment … Continue reading

Posted in 2024 London elections, Boris Johnson, Caroline Pidgeon, Commuting, London Assembly, London-wide issues, Mayor of London, Neil Garratt, Sadiq Khan, Susan Hall, TfL, Tramlink, Transport | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

TfL forced to bin costly £560m tram extension into Sutton

Transport for London has binned the proposed Sutton tram extension due to its “weak business case”. According to a senior official at City Hall this week, it’s unlikely that the Sutton link will be revisited any time soon. “It’s hard … Continue reading

Posted in Boris Johnson, Commuting, Ken Livingstone, London-wide issues, Mayor of London, Merton, Sadiq Khan, Sutton Council, Sutton Link, TfL, Tramlink, Transport | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Starmer reshuffle sees Croydon MP Reed shunted to DEFRA

WALTER CRONXITE, political editor, on how today’s Labour front bench job creation scheme might be taken as proof that turds do somehow manage to rise to the surface… Steve Reed OBE, the right-wing MP who shunted another Labour MP out … Continue reading

Posted in 2024 General Election, Boris Johnson, Croydon Central, Croydon North, Environment, Sadiq Khan, Sarah Jones MP, Steve Reed MP, Streatham and Croydon North, ULEZ, ULEZ expansion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

ULEZ is here to stay and the health benefits are on the way

Opposition to the Ultra Low Emission Zone, which has been expanded to much of outer London today, has simply demonstrated where third-rate Conservative politicians’ priorities lie – and that’s not with the public nor the planet. By our environment correspondent, … Continue reading

Posted in 2024 London elections, Bexley, Boris Johnson, Bromley Council, Business, Coulsdon, Environment, Health, Kenley, London-wide issues, Mayor Jason Perry, Mayor of London, Purley, Sadiq Khan, Steve Reed MP, Surrey, Susan Hall, Sutton Council, TfL, Transport, ULEZ, ULEZ expansion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Driven to distraction, pro-car Tories are bad for your health

ANDREW FISHER on how the latest manifestation of ‘culture wars’, with attacks on anti-pollution policies and safer roads, smacks of desperation by failing politicians in Westminster and in Croydon The Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election is casting a long shadow … Continue reading

Posted in Andrew Fisher, Boris Johnson, Croydon Council, Environment, Health, London-wide issues, Mayor Jason Perry, Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, TfL, Transport, ULEZ, ULEZ expansion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Getting Johnson out: lying ex-PM exposes Sunak’s weakness

354-7: last night, Parliament had its say on the Privileges Committee’s damning report into Boris Johnson’s misconduct. ANDREW FISHER, pictured right, on how Croydon and Sutton’s MPs voted, and why the ex-PM is running scared of scrutiny In the House … Continue reading

Posted in Andrew Fisher, Boris Johnson, Chris Philp MP, Croydon Central, Croydon North, Croydon South, Sarah Jones MP, Steve Reed MP | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Disbelief as Scully is left out of Conservatives’ mayor race

With the Express describing the decision as a ‘clusterfuck’, Sutton and Cheam MP’s thwarted bid to become Mayor of London is early casualty of the Tory party’s psychodrama over law-breaking, lying and philandering Boris Johnson, reports CARL SHILTON Red faces … Continue reading

Posted in 2024 London elections, Boris Johnson, London Assembly, London-wide issues, Mayor of London, Paul Scully MP, Susan Hall, Sutton Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Khan set to splash the cash to re-open Crystal Palace pools

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has approved the immediate spending of up to £10million to bring key parts of the National Sports Centre at Crystal Palace back into use, providing for urgent repairs to the Olympic-sized swimming pool and for the … Continue reading

Posted in Athletics, Boris Johnson, Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood, Crystal Palace Park, London-wide issues, Mayor of London, Planning, Sadiq Khan, Sport, Swimming | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Scully gets serious in race to be London Mayor candidate

Sutton and Cheam’s Conservative MP Paul Scully is to “pause” his Government role as minister for the capital while he campaigns to win selection to be his party’s candidate in next year’s London Mayor elections. Scully, 55, is the founder … Continue reading

Posted in 2024 London elections, Andrew Boff, Boris Johnson, London-wide issues, Mayor of London, Paul Scully MP, Sadiq Khan, Shaun Bailey, ULEZ expansion, Zac Goldsmith MP | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Perry’s back-pedalling furiously on Boris-backed bike scheme

Croydon Mayor’s long-term opposition to safe cycling infrastructure could yet lead to a scheme along Brighton Road causing someone serious injury, maybe worse, as the council fails to act on a potential death trap. By JEREMY CLACKSON, transport correspondent The … Continue reading

Posted in Boris Johnson, Crime, Croydon Council, Croydon Cycling Campaign, Environment, Health, Maria Gatland, Mayor Jason Perry, Purley, Ria Patel, South Croydon | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

TfL needs to find £50m to replace Croydon’s oldest trams

Transport for London needs to replace two-thirds of its fleet of trams – but still has to secure the funding to pay for them. The original 24 Bombardier-built trams have been trundling from Beckenham Junction and New Addington through Croydon … Continue reading

Posted in Boris Johnson, Ken Livingstone, London-wide issues, Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, Sutton Link, TfL, Tramlink, Transport | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

London Stadium deal could give Crystal Palace new lease of life

After decades of damaging dither and delay, might an eclectic coalition of bodies, including a Premier League football club, be about to come up with a plan, and the cash, to revive the NSC? By STEVEN DOWNES Might there be … Continue reading

Posted in 2012 Olympics, Athletics, Boris Johnson, Business, Community associations, Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood, London-wide issues, Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, Sport, Swimming | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Tory ministers must act on public safety over firefighters’ pay

Now the Fire Brigades Union are planning their first national strike action in 20 years, it puts Croydon Tory MP Chris Philp at the centre of the dispute. By ANDREW FISHER The worst cost-of-living crisis in decades is bringing an … Continue reading

Posted in Andrew Fisher, Boris Johnson, Chris Philp MP, Croydon Central, Croydon South, Fiona Twycross, London Fire Brigade, London-wide issues, Mayor of London, Sarah Jones MP | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Customers at Crystal Palace stadium could be left in the dark

One week on from an emergency closure of the National Sports Centre and parts of Crystal Palace Park, the venue is being “partially” re-opened today. But the thousands of runners, jumpers and throwers who train on the track at what … Continue reading

Posted in Athletics, Boris Johnson, Bromley Council, Caroline Russell, Croydon parks, Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood, Crystal Palace Park, London Assembly, London-wide issues, Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, Sport | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Council arts fund ignites row 11 years after deadly night of riots

EXCLUSIVE by STEVEN DOWNES The decision by the Mayor of Croydon, Jason Perry, to call a Borough of Culture funding stream “The Ignite Fund” has been slammed for being crass, ill-judged and insensitive by victims of the Croydon Riots. The … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Boris Johnson, Borough of Culture 2023, Broad Green, Business, Community associations, Crime, Croydon 8/8, Croydon Council, Mayor Jason Perry, West Croydon | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

M&S recruiting 130 staff ahead of opening Purley Way store

EXCLUSIVE: The company CEO’s life-long association with the Croydon store may have helped to give the beleaguered Whitgift Centre a reprieve. By STEVEN DOWNES Marks and Spencer is recruiting more than 130 staff in advance of its opening a new … Continue reading

Posted in "Hammersfield", Boris Johnson, Business, Centrale, Croydon Council, Gavin Barwell, Housing, Mayor Jason Perry, Mayor of London, Planning, Purley Way, Whitgift Centre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Part-time Perry is fiddling over ULEZ while Croydon burns

In the middle of the hottest and driest summer on record, Jason Perry, Chris Philp and south London Tories are opposing measures to address the climate crisis. By our environment correspondent, PAUL LUSHION Jason Perry, Croydon’s part-time Mayor, has made … Continue reading

Posted in Boris Johnson, Business, Chris Philp MP, Climate Crisis Commission, Commuting, Croydon Council, Environment, London-wide issues, Mayor Jason Perry, Mayor of London, Neil Garratt, Sadiq Khan, TfL, Transport, ULEZ, Waste incinerator | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

England’s Tories remain enthusiastic only about ground rent

As ANDREW FISHER explains, the cost of living crisis begins with too many people being unable to afford somewhere decent to live, as private rents increase by 15.8% this year “Been spending most our lives living in a landlords’ paradise”. … Continue reading

Posted in Andrew Fisher, Boris Johnson, Business, Croydon Council, Housing, Landlord licensing, London-wide issues, Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

MP Philp finally emerges to be skewered by Benny Hill theme

More on the final throes of Boris Johnson’s government from our political correspondent, WALTER CRONXITE Like Michael Fabricant’s syrup, once seen, this can never be unseen. Once heard, it certainly can never be unheard. In fact, this has been playing … Continue reading

Posted in Boris Johnson, Chris Philp MP, Croydon South | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

After a 38-hour pause for thought, Philp quits government

THE LONG GOODBYE: Political editor WALTER CRONXITE on a display of craven self-interest that managed to surpass all previous efforts by the Tory MP for Croydon South At long last, at 8.06 this morning, it happened. Chris Philp joined the … Continue reading

Posted in Boris Johnson, Chris Philp MP, Croydon South, Paul Scully MP | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments