Business backs Boris to fight for the recovery
BORIS Johnson will create a new position of deputy mayor for the economy if he is successful in tomorrow’s mayoral election.
It is understood the move is part of Johnson’s plans to place the economic recovery at the heart of his mayoralty if he is returned to City Hall.
The deputy would be responsible for promoting economic growth and jobs across the capital.
In a final pitch to voters Johnson said yesterday: “The big question is about who has the best plan for the jobs and growth that will help bring prosperity to all.
“It is about who will deliver the investment from central government that will take London forward. It is about who you can trust to spend that money wisely – and who will be honest with you about where the money is coming from, and how it is spent,” he added.
The news comes as a ComRes survey for LondonLovesBusiness.com revealed that 63 per cent of business people feel that Johnson is the most trusted candidate to handle London’s economy, while just nine per cent feel the same about Labour’s Ken Livingstone.
Charlie Mullins, founder of Pimlico Plumbers commented on the findings: “Based on his performance over the years, and my personal feelings after meeting the candidates, I wouldn’t put Ken in charge of a broom let alone our capital and millions of pounds of our money.”
But the survey also revealed doubts over Johnson’s ability to provide new homes, with both leading candidates considered to be neck-and -neck on housing issues.