The Mayor's New Year message

31 December 2008

The Mayor is one of several celebrities and public figures that have recorded video messages thanks to this year's sponsorship from LG Electronics.

Boris Johnson's message: 'There are those who say we should look ahead to 2009 with foreboding. I want to quote Colonel Kilgore in Apocalypse Now when he says 'Someday captain, this war is going to end', and someday, this recession is going to end.

'We can speed the demise of this recession if we all help the poorest in our community and if we make the vital investment that we need in our mass transit system and in fighting crime, so that London emerges at the end better places to compete and entrenched in its position as the greatest city on earth.

'We are going to be working flat out at City Hall to achieve that. Let's go forward into 2009 with enthusiasm and purpose. I wish you a very happy New Year.'

The Mayor ordered the fireworks to kick off the New Year in the capital with a bang and to promote London around the world display a place to live, visit and invest.

The Mayor said: 'London has some of the best bars, restaurants and hotels in the world. I can think of no better city to spend New Year's Eve and these fireworks will remind Britain and the world of the joys and charms of this city all year round. I'm particularly keen to remind the global business elite that London offers them unique opportunities and an inimitable lifestyle. Even these tough economic times cannot detract from the wealth of architecture, culture, gastronomy and people which make London the best city in the world to work, rest and play.'