HUGHES PLEDGES TO BE A NEW MAYOR FOR A GREATER LONDON

9.42.53am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 22nd Apr 2004

Simon has pledged to be a new Mayor for a Greater London

At a special Liberal Democrat London Regional Conference tonight, Liberal Democrat London Mayoral candidate, Simon Hughes MP, today pledged to make London united.

In his speech Mr Hughes promised to be a 'Mayor in nobody's pocket', and pledged to improve security, transport and quality of life.

Simon Hughes will say:

"The Blair government and Blair's Mayor have made London more likely to be the target of a terrorist attack than ever before. Why is it that £3billion could be spent on an unjustified war in Iraq, when London has to fight for every penny to tackle crime and prevent terrorism?

"Blair's Mayor has divided communities, divided boroughs and divided London. Mr Livingstone has been blind to the divides he and his government have created between the rich and poor and the inner and outer parts of London. It is time for a new Mayor for a Greater London.

"London needs a Mayor who is nobody's pocket. Londoners don't want a Mayor who is the pocket of the unions or Tony Blair, and they don't want a Mayor who is in the pocket of big business or Jarvis. Londoners need an independent Mayor who will fight for London at home and abroad, and will make London united."

Notes to editor

WHO: Liberal Democrat Party Leader Charles Kennedy MP and London Mayoral candidate Simon Hughes, Sarah Ludford MEP, Lynne Featherstone AM and Sandi Toksvig

WHAT: Ahead of the election campaign for 10th June, will be addressing the Liberal Democrat London Regional Conference

WHEN: 18.00hrs Thursday 22nd April 2004

WHERE: Mander Hall, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9BD