Ken's Capital Tour Starts In Merton

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Meeting with Wimbledon residents

Ken Livingstone, Labour's candidate for London Mayor, is starting a tour of all the capital's boroughs with various events in Merton today (Monday January 17).

Tonight he will be at a question-and-answer session with local residents at Merton Hall on Kingston Road, Wimbledon.

During his visit to Merton, Mr Livingstone (left), his running mate Val Shawcross AM, Mitcham & Morden MP Siobhan McDonagh, and Merton Council leader, Councillor Stephen Alambritis, will also meet staff and volunteers at a Victim Support centre in Mitcham.

Over the coming months Mr Livingstone will spend a day in each London borough, beginning with Merton. He made his commitment to the 32-borough visit programme when he was selected as Labour's candidate for the 2012 Mayoral election, in which he will again face Boris Johnson.

He said: "When I was selected as Labour’s candidate for Mayor I promised to listen to the views and concerns of Londoners. Over the coming months I will fulfil that promise with public meetings and events in every London borough speaking directly to thousands of Londoners.

"Crime is an issue that affects Londoners in every part of the capital. I believe it is time for a new approach in which the needs of the victims of crime are put at the top of the agenda at City Hall."

Councillor Alambritis (left) said: "I am delighted Ken and Val have chosen Merton to launch this unprecedented programme of meetings with thousands of Londoners.

"I know many Merton residents are concerned by the cuts to policing in London and huge increases in bus, tube and train fares which have been brought in by the Conservative Mayor and Conservative-led government. It’s time for an alternative and fresh ideas in City Hall and Whitehall."

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January 17, 2011