LIB DEMS CHALLENGE LIVINGSTONE TO COME CLEAN ON HIS PRINCIPLES

11.23.21am GMT Thu 15th Jan 2004

The Liberal Democrat London Mayoral candidate Simon Hughes, along with all Lib Dem London Assembly Members and the Liberal Democrat London MEP today challenged Ken Livingstone to reveal where he stands on issues which in the past he has fundamentally disagreed with his former party since he became Mayor.

In an open letter to the Guardian newspaper, the Liberal Democrats call for Mr Livingstone to tell Londoners where he stands on the current issues that his new party supports; including the war on Iraq, tuition fees and the PPP agreement on the Tube.

Simon Hughes said:-

"People voted for an independent Mayor, and now Mr Livingstone has defected back to the Labour Party he should tell the people of London that voted for him last time what he now stands for.

"If he is now truly back in the Labour Party, then he must agree with Mr Blair on issues such as the war on Iraq, tuition fees and the privatisation of the Tube. If he does not agree, then why has he rejoined the Party that supports these policies?

"It is about time the Mayor came clean with the people of London."

ENDS

Notes to editors

A copy of the open letter in its entirety is enclosed below:-

15th January 2004

Sir-

Following your article of the 12th January (Livingstone in plea to Labour) we believe it would be useful not just for party members but for Londoners to know what his political views are on some of the most fundamental issues that are affecting Londoners and the UK in the next year.

Mr Livingstone should tell his colleagues in the Labour Party and most importantly the public where he now stands on the war on terror and the war on Iraq and if he backs the actions of the Prime Minister? Is the Mayor happy at the imposition of tuition fees; the creation of further foundation hospitals; the failure of government to reform of the House of Lords; the mishandling of the tax credits system, vital to so many of the poorer off in London; the increases in defence spending; the failure of this government to allow free personal care for the elderly; the timidity with which this government approaches the question of the Euro and, especially for Londoners, whether the Mayor now backs the PPP on the tube which has singularly failed to yet provide any improvement in London's most important transport network?

Given that Mr Livingstone now represents the current Government, his support for them must now be without question.

Yours faithfully

Simon Hughes Liberal Democrat London Mayoral candidate

Sarah Ludford MEP

Lynne Featherstone AM

Graham Tope AM

Sally Hamwee AM

Mike Tuffrey AM

4 Cowley Street

London

SW1P 3NB