Conservative Home this morning has a list of Boris Johnson’s 100 achievements since taking over in May 2008. But prolific London blogger, Adam Bienkov, outlines which actually add up.
On his Tory Troll blog, Bienkov outlines that:
“A few are real achievements but most are either deliberately misleading, or point to some new definition of “achievement” that I’ve yet to come across.”
He highlights two laughable “achievements”:
“27. The Queen’s portrait unveiled in City Hall.”
“73. Boris Johnson appeared in EastEnders visiting the Queen Vic.”
And goes on to examine the evidence base between some of the other claims:
1. “Frozen the Council Tax for two years running.”
Yes, but he’s also raised public transport fares for two years running. This cancels out any council tax savings by many, many times over.
5. “There are 400 more police officers for buses.”
Yes, but he is also taking 455 police officers off of the force overall.
63. “Knife crime is down by 30%.”
Yes, but gun crime has soared
79. “Overall crime on the Tube and DLR is down by 8%. Robbery is down by 29.2%, violent crime is down 2.6% and public disorder offences are down by 4.5%.”
But Gun enabled crime has gone up 67.1%, Homophobic crime is up 27.6% Rape is up 22%, other sexual offences are up 2.2%, Residential burglary is up 7.5%, business robbery is up 3.3%, Residential burglary is up 7.5%, Racist crime is up 6.9%
19 Responses to “Boris’ achievements exposed”
Rory
We can have the debate about capital punishment another time, but since you mention the US, I believe the experience of New York City under Mayor Giuliani was quite successful.
Sevillista
Rory,
You said that “in the 1950s, when violent criminals faced long prison sentences – and in some cases the gallows – violent crime was lower. It has soared since the 1960s. I wonder why?” – definitely
implying capital punishment and long sentences with no second chance or rehabilitation is the solution to violent crime.
So I was merely asking if your low-crime utopia is the US as it sounds
like you are describing the criminal justice system there as the solution to violent crime.
Why change the subject?
Rory
Sevillista,
I do think that capital punishment is in some cases a deterrent, but that is not the same thing as supporting it.
I called for building more prisons to prevent early release of violent offenders without having overcrowded prisons which is inhumane. And I called for drug use to be stamped out in prisons. Surely any sensible person would support that?
I mentioned capital punishment in the 1950s to underline that they dealt with crime more severely then.
John
Oh yes Rory – and in the real ‘good old days’ days we would lock bankrupts up – shall we do that again – I mean there’s a few bankers would need to be clapped in irons.
Maybe you think it’s acceptable for society to lock up people who are merely mimicing the selfish behaviour of our leaders – but it won’t stop it happening.
How many psychopaths think ‘will I get hanged for this?’ before committing a haenous crime?
How many innocent men would have been hung by mistake – I mean you have heard of a ‘miscarriage of justice’ haven’t you?
Sure, taking drugs out of prisons would help – but how about controlling their use outside of prisons too – I mean most drug users don’t have access to boats and planes – so who do you think is bringing it all into the country?
Open your eyes Rory – you will see the world is very different to the one you’re being presented by the media.