Tribute Time
Although this campaign did not succeed, Ken would like to record his thanks to his supporters & campaign team
(& especially to say 'chin up' to the latter - Ken's next campaign is to be President of Britain)
with special mentions to:-
My wife, Avis, who has given rock-solid support & a lot of time
my Deputy Mayor running mate Jennette Arnold, who has been lucky enough to become a Member of the GLA
my designated Mayor's Legal Advisor Georgette Djaba
my designated Mayor's Webmaster Tony Gunnersen,
'the gang': Richard Williams, Louis Berk & Aysin Behchit and
the Internet itself, without which Ken could not have contemplated going for this job.
The next Internet candidate could succeed, as by the next election, most people will have access through TV-set top digital boxes.
Who is Ken Baldry?
- Rank-and-file Labour Party member (since 1965). Part of the 'sensible tendency' in Islington South.
- Member of the Council of Charter 88, the constitutional reform campaign which converted Labour to the idea of regional government.
- After campaigning for constitutional reform for ten years, it is time to put his time & effort where his mouth has been.
- Managing Director of Art & Science Ltd, a tiny but world-wide company.
- Architect of the communications software behind the world-wide foreign exchange dealing system - he has proved he can manage Big Mega-buck Projects.
- One-time Councillor & Chair of the Libraries Committee of the London Borough of Hounslow (i.e. local Arts Minister).
- One-time member of the South African Picket Line (City of London AA).
- Worked hard shipping food to the miners in the 1984 strike.
- At 56, he has the wisdom without old-age problems (an active mountaineer).
- In Avis, he has a seasoned urban campaigner at his side, who is 'rebuilding Islington' and advises Chris Smith M.P, the Secretary of State for Culture.
What will he do?
- The powers (somewhat inadequate) are set out in the White Paper.
- Ken will solve the Transport problems
- Ken will improve the health of the people by improving the environment. News: 20/8/98. The government has adopted one of Ken's environmental schemes.
- Ken will structure the assembly members for results by fully involving them. See also the Organisation chart.
- Ken will develop imaginative but not unprecedented initiatives to reduce crime in close & warm co-operation with the Metropolitan police,
- Ken will raise money from new sources to solve these problems without milking the Council Tax payers of London.
- Close co-operation with Arts & Tourist bodies will ensure that the Coolest City will serve visitors of all temperatures.
- Ken is neither a Blairite clone with Milbank's hand up his back nor a loonie lefty.
Promises
- Best practice from other cities will be adopted.
- No mayoral car. Ken will use public transport & taxis.
- No junketing with Irish politicians.
- No fact-finding trips to Barcelona.
- No 'higher ambitions' in central government.
- A London Mayor in London working on London's needs & aspirations.
- No skeletons in the cupboard - see my 'coming clean' page.
What's wrong with other touted candidates?
- In accordance with the code of conduct distributed with the Mayor application pack, I am not saying!
Help!
Some of the other candidates seem to have access to big money funding. In the old days, you could not buy your way to office in the Labour Party. It would be a shame if it should be possible to do so now. All the others have access to research assistants - I don't. I have written this site entirely myself. Any assistance or money would be welcomed to help me compete effectively. Please write to the papers telling them what a great Mayor I would make.
The Greater London Authority Bill
Hit this for comment.
To talk to Ken:-
- E-mail him or
- Write to him at 17 Gerrard Road, Islington, London N1 8AY
- Encourage your local Labour Party to invite him to meetings.
Contact: Ken Baldry at 17 Gerrard Road, Islington, London N1 8AY
+44(0)20 7359 6294 or
e-mail him
This page's URL :- http://www.art-science.com/London/index.html
Last revised 22/9/2002
Copyright: Ken Baldry 1998 - 2002