Camden News - By RICHARD OSLEY Published: 17 April 2008
Ken Livingstone
KEN: I’LL FIND A SOLUTION ON HOUSING
Livingstone promises to resolve long-running stand-off
KEN Livingstone has staked his claim for another term as London mayor with a grand promise to solve Camden’s long-running housing crisis.
He said: “I will be given £4 billion to spend in three years,” adding his intervention would lead to long-awaited repairs and improvements for estates.
Labour insiders said he could be set up as a go-between in the stand-off between the Town Hall and the government, allowing Whitehall to help Camden without having to break national policy.
They suggested the move would allow ministers to finally wipe their hands of the embarrassing dilemma, which has seen tenants left in sub-standard homes for nearly five years on the grounds that they do not agree with a national shift towards privatisation.
Rivals last night described Mr Livingstone as “desperate” to win votes with Conservative challenger Boris Johnson threatening to unseat him in the May 1 mayoral elections.
One leading Tory said: “He has made a series of promises on lots of different issues that he won’t be able to keep ”