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I have campaigned hard with fellow Liberal Democrats against Labour's PPP plans to privatise and sell off
large parts of the London Tube system. The plans largely replicate the Tory privatisation of the railways -
which has had disastrous and tragic results.
As someone who commutes to work every day using the Northern Line, I know how important a good Tube system is
to London and Londoners.
The Liberal Democrats, along with leading transport experts, have argued for bonds to be used rather than privatisation. They are
cheaper, simpler and quicker than Labour's privatisation scheme.
Sadly, at every key vote in Parliament Labour's Tube privatisation plans have been solidly backed by Labour’s
London MPs, including Hornsey & Wood Green's then Labour MP.
Labour let many years slip by since they were first elected in 1997. Instead of getting on with improving the Tube using bonds,
Labour wasted time and money on their PPP privatisation plans.
£905 million wasted
According to the respected and independent National Audit Office's June 2004 report, Labour's Tube
privatisation has cost £455 million in expenses for consultants, lawyers, accountants etc and
an additional £450 million in extra borrowing costs (compared with the costs of government borrowing).
As an example of what this money could have paid for instead, £500 million would have paid for 35 brand new
trains, 60 kilometres of track renewed, 50 escalators replaced and 37 overhauled, and access to the Tube
system improved for wheelchair users by installing new lifts.
Improving public transport
You can read about what I've been doing to improve buses in
Haringey and to improve transport throughout the borough.
Have your say
You can let me have your views about the Tube in my online surgery.
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