Fiona Twycross AM Accuses Mayor Of "Breaking His Promise"

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Saying Boris Johnson will be "distracted juggling two roles"

Boris Johnson’s commitment to Wandsworth has been called into question this week as it was announced the Mayor would join David Cameron’s political Cabinet in addition to his role as Mayor of London and newly elected MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip. London Assembly Member Fiona Twycross AM warned that “there is a real risk that the Mayor will get swept up in his parliamentary role” and said local people would be “the real victims” of the Mayor’s ambition.”

Despite describing Mayor of London as the “greatest job in the world” Fiona Twycross said it was clear that Boris Johnson “never regarded the mayoralty as anything more than a stepping stone to bigger things”.

Johnson’s decision to stand for Parliament and then accept a place in the political cabinet, despite having another year to serve as Mayor, led Fiona Twycross to accuse the Mayor of “breaking his promise” after he pledged in 2012 that he was “absolutely not going to be returning to Parliament.”

With cuts to public services on the horizon, and ongoing challenges to housing and local infrastructure, Fiona Twycross said the people of Wandsworth need a Mayor “who will look after the interests of our community” but said Boris Johnson would be “distracted by juggling two roles”.

London Assembly Member Fiona Twycross said: “After breaking his promise and running off to Parliament there is a real risk that the Mayor will get swept up in his parliamentary role and forget his commitment to Wandsworth and the rest of London.

“We need a Mayor who will look after the interests of our community. Sadly I just don’t see us getting that from Boris Johnson, who’ll be distracted by juggling two roles. It’s now clear that he never regarded the mayoralty as anything more than a stepping stone to bigger things. People in Wandsworth will be the real victims of Boris’ selfish ambition.

“The next five years could be incredibly tough for Wandsworth. We have public services facing further cuts, neighbourhood policing on the verge of collapse and a housing crisis that is only getting worse. A Mayor with his eye off the ball will only add to these challenges.”

May 13, 2015