Tower Hamlets Liberal Democrats

Questions for candidates for Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets

(see www.eastendmayor.info for more information.)

1. What are my main objectives for the next 4 years?

Increasing employment opportunities and affordable housing for local people will be my 2 over-riding priorities for Tower Hamlets. From my experience as a Councillor and my professional work in economic regeneration, I know the borough could be a fairer place. Tower Hamlets is one of the economic success stories of the UK, and yet unemployment is among the highest in London and there are over 23,000 people on the housing waiting list. The Mayor will be judged on his ability to narrow the gap between rich and poor in this borough.

2. The borough's ethnic mix - what do I perceive to be the problems and opportunities?

The borough's cosmopolitanism and diversity are an opportunity, not a problem; they are what make the borough the most exciting in London. The area has a proud history as a gateway to the UK, successfully assimilating waves of immigrants from Western Europe, the Middle East, South Asia and most recently Eastern Europe. The challenge for a political leader is to ensure that all these communities feel represented and have a voice in the running of local services.

3. How would I work with the present Chief Executive?

The relationship between the Mayor and the Council Chief Executive is not unlike that between the Chairman and CEO of a major company, and is one I am comfortable with from my business experience and my roles as a Non Executive Director of Gateway Housing Association and Bikeworks. As a Councillor, I have previously worked with the current CEO and would do so as Mayor. It is not appropriate for an elected representative to remove senior local government officers on a whim and, in effect, politicise the civil service, as one recent leader of the Council did at significant cost to both the borough's reputation and local taxpayers.

4. How would I choose my cabinet of up to 8 people?

I will appoint a cabinet that brings together a representative group of the most talented of our 51 elected councillors, irrespective of their political background or Party membership. They would be appointed on merit and work as a team, bringing consensus to Tower Hamlets' politics in place of the party tribalism that has characterised the past.

5. In which areas would I most want to lead?

As Chair of the Borough's Local Strategic Partnership, the Mayor has the opportunity to lead the local authority, but also to work collectively with all the major organisations in the borough from across the public, private and voluntary sectors. It is strong leadership of the Tower Hamlets Partnership which will deliver the best results particularly in the key areas such as employment, housing, health, education and community safety.

6. To what extent would I expect to make direct contact with local citizens?

It is imperative that the Mayor is accountable to local people, and the many diverse communities of Tower Hamlets. There is a real danger that we elect an autocratic Mayor who is representative of only one section of the community. I commit to holding quarterly Mayor's Question Times - open public meetings in the various communities and neighbourhoods of the Borough. I will also report back to the electorate each year on my progress in delivering my manifesto commitments. I will also look to make the most efficient use of information/communication technology, enabling people to contact the Mayor online, or directly from personal mobile devices.

7. What are my plans for East End Life?

I will conduct a value for money review of East End Life as a matter of urgency. It is important that the Council has an organ for communicating with residents across all communities of the borough. However, this should not be in direct competition with local media outlets, nor should it be perceived as politically partisan. Its frequency may also be reduced, without losing its effectiveness as a medium for the Council to keep in touch with people.

8. Reviewing previous borough policies, which would you never repeat?

The Rich Mix Centre has been a scandalous waste of public money (£26m and rising). In spite of its detailed scrutiny by opposition Councillors, who questioned the level of demand and long-term sustainability of the project, this was ramroaded through by a small group of lead members and Labour glitterati. I am a great believer in the arts, but this over -blown scheme should never have happened in its current form.