PPP and the London Tube

11.7.01

Letter to the Independent

Sir:

Your article "Labour MPs in London split over Tube part-privatisation plans" (Independent, 10 July) signals a belated attempt by some London Labour MPs to put the safety of Londoners before the interests of their own career.

This now means that as well as Bob Kiley, the RMT, London Underground and the Health and Safety Executive repeatedly voicing over the danger the PPP poses to commuters, the Chair, vice chairs and the Treasurer of London's Labour MPs also oppose the scheme.

It is time the Government stopped insulting Londoners' intelligence and accepted London's democratic decision at the mayoral elections in 2000, when the vast majority of Londoners backed candidates who opposed the PPP scheme, namely Susan Kramer and Ken Livingstone. Ministers should also heed the experts' worries over safety, learn from the mistakes of botched Tory rail privatisation and listen to their own backbenchers.

There is still time for the Prime Minister and Chancellor to think again, but not for much longer.

Edward Davey MP
London Liberal Democrat Spokesperson