Press Release

Mayor to speak out on his fight for the Tube at London Labour fringe meeting
10-11-2000   215

Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, will set out his proposals for the future of the London Underground at a fringe meeting at the London Labour Party conference tomorrow organised by transport workers' trade unions.

Mr Livingstone said: 'The Underground is the core of London's transport system and is vital not only for the convenience of passengers but the efficient running of the capital's economy. It cannot be run to anything like maximum efficiency with a divided management system. Even worse, the risk to safety from fragmenting management control of rail systems by dividing responsibility for train operations and infrastructure has been disastrously illustrated by the recent Hatfield rail crash. As the person who will have future responsibility for the Tube, I am not prepared to take similar risks on the Underground.'

Mr Livingstone continued: 'Eleven motions to Saturday's London Labour Party conference - nearly a quarter of the total - call for my readmittance to the Labour Party.

'Another seven oppose the government's proposal to break up and partially privatise the Tube. However, discussion of all of these motions from local parties and unions has been ruled out by the conference organisers. I think the party should listen to its members in London on these issues.'

Ends

Notes to Editors

1. Ken Livingstone speaks at 'Save our Tube', a fringe meeting of the London Labour Party Biennial Meeting, at the East London Centre, 64 The Broadway, Stratford, London E15, on Saturday November 11 at 12.30pm.
   
2. Other speakers include Bob Crow, Assistant General Secretary of the RMT.

For general or non media enquiries, please contact the Public Liaison Unit, Greater London Authority, Romney House, Marsham Street, London SW1P 3PY. Tel: 020 7983 4100

For media enquiries, please contact: Press Office, Greater London Authority, Romney House, Marsham Street, London SW1P 3PY. Tel: 020 7983 4070

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