LondonScope

New Year Resolution

2012-01-02T15:08:00.001Z

Before anything, I`d like to wish readers of this blog a happy new year. A purposeful and remarkable year may it be for all and sundry. Its of course the time of the year we tend to do an inventory of our lives. Asking ourselves what works what us and what doesnt. What to do more or less of. Im talking about new year resolutions. Some of us persevere for a couple of months and revert to our old ways, some stick at it a bit longer and some do actually keep to their vows. This year I promise myself to be more health conscious. I will be updating my LA Fitness membership for the year and make it a duty to be there at least twice a week. So whatever you vow to change or do this year, do give a good go.

We look forward to two major events in London this year. The first is the mayoral election and the other is the Olympic Games.But not impressed by the fact that the race is between the usual suspects. Boring if you ask me. Boris Johnson will be staking his claim for a second term and Ken Livingstone trying to claim back what he assumes to be his rightful throne. I personally think Boris is justified in going for a second stint at City Hall. Why Ken Livingstone is in the race I dont understand. How many tmes has he been at the helm of affairs at City Hall? Doesnt the man get tired of running the city? I predicted Boris Johnson`s victory last time around. I think he will be returned to City Hall. Put some money on that f you are a betting person.

Come summer and the spotlight is on London as host of the 2012 Olympic Games. The planning got off to a shaky start but found its feet as time went on and everything seems to be in place for a memorable showpiece. The Games have already brought some remarkable benefits to the city. A large swathe of East London has seen tremendous re-generation. as part of the preparation for the Games. London surely will prove its claim as a world class city.

2011-12-17T16:07:00.000Z

Why do people entrusted with our money like to make silly decisions, then make it seem like they are doing us a favour? A couple of years ago the famous Routemaster buses could be seen gliding through the streets of London. An icon of the city. Globally recognised just like the celebrated red phone box. Then some smart alec decided the buses were to be pulled off the streets. Citing health and safety among other spurious reasons why we were better off without the eponymous buses. Now the buses have been reinvented and reintroduced on our roads. At a whopping bill of £7.8 million for 5 units. Mathematics has never been my forte but I reckon that comes in at about £1.3m per bus. What a wind up.

Boris Johnson was in his most ebullient element yesterday while introducing us to our new expensive run around toy. Informing us how our lives will suddenly turn brighter, glamorous and our bank balances as lush as the rainforest by catching a glimpse of the new Routemaster on our streets. Well not exactly in those words but something pretty akin to that. I think all they needed to do was refit the old stock. Add new features like eco- friendly engines for example.

Kew Gardens

2011-12-14T13:39:00.000Z

I have never been the greatest fan of end of year awards. Im all for celebrating excellence and all that but the nomination and voting process in most of these awards are highly questionable. Take this year`s BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. The panjadrums at BBC Sports wanted to know the best sportsperson of the year so they asked Nuts magazine. Among other exclusively male readership publications. So it isnt surprising that this year`s award list is made up entirely of men. Of course whoever wins the award will be a worthy winner. But the process is flawed. This casts a shadow over the whole affair. You have to be in it to win. Who is to say, if the nomination process was more representative and a sportswoman was in the mix, she wouldnt come up trumps.

So I really dont know what to make of this news that Kew Botanic Gardens has just been voted the best visitor attraction in the country at the British Airways travel awards. Kew Gardens best visitor attraction in Britain? I lived in Ealing which is just round the corner from Kew Gardens for a long time. Even though I passed the Gardens on my way to Richmond on a regular basis, I was never interested in it.

Why tourists head west in droves to sample the horticultural delights within Kew Gardens beats my imagination. Typically, one would have thought the major attractions in and around W1 would top the list of tourist attractions in the country. But then we dont know how British Airways got the nominees. All we have to do for now is celebrate Kew Gardens as the place to be for any savvy, in-the-know tourist.

EURO Bill Veto

2011-12-13T13:08:00.001Z

It was Harold Wilson who said a week is a long time in politics. What a truism its proved to be over the years. Barely two months ago David Cameron and Nicholas Sarkozy were on first name terms now the bonhomie has turned sour. I actually heard Cameron refer to Sarkozy as Nicolas in a speech he gave sometime in October. Odd I thought. Normally we hear leaders addressing fellow leaders by their appellation. But it was hard not to notice Sarkozy blanking out Cameron last week in Brussels. We saw this video of Cameron walking towards the French President, who promptly cold shouldered him. Fair game to Cameron who behaved more dignified and lightly tapped Nicolas Sarkozy on the shoulder and went on his way. We all have friends like that. You know the kind of friend that thinks you are the best thing since slice bread as long as you agree with his opinions or wishes and help in fulfilling his needs. Once your wishes and opinions are at variance with his, you are undesirable. He blanks you out.

However that there are no permanent friends or enemies in international politics or any level at any level of politics for that matter. The existence of our present government is a testimony to that There are only national interests. So Mr Sarkozy can sulk all he likes for now. Personally I'm not for or against Cameron vetoing the EU proposal. There are pros and cons to the argument. What the country needs is a simplified details of what the issue is, what impact such proposals might have on Britain and why we cannot accede to it. The Prime Minister has to get the message across to the British people himself. Not in a condescending or patronising manner but like I said in a simplified but detailed manner. Then and only then can we be in the best position to decipher whether he made the right call or not.

Silvio Berlusconi Turns Popstar

2011-12-03T12:33:00.001Z

It didn't take Silvio Berlusconi long to find an outlet for his boundless energy and occupy himself. Barely a fortnight after stepping down from his position I hear he has released an album of love songs. Well, according to reports the ex Italian Prime Minister penned the lyrics to the songs sang by Mariano Apicella , a popular Italian singer and a friend of his. I haven't heard the songs yet, but anyone who has heard the songs should please let me know if I they are worth adding to my iPod playlist.

What next to expect from Silvio then? Judge on Italian ex-factor? A contestant on Italy`s Got Talent? Big Brother? The world is his oyster in this regard actually. Given that he owns a large swathe of the Italian media that should not be hard to arrange. Im not a great fan on reality television shows but one along the lines of Im An ex Prime Minister Get me Out of Here would be great to watch. There is no shortage of possible contetants for such a show these days due to the wind of change blowing all over Europe and beyond. The spectre of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown jostling for our votes to win the contset is quite an appealing if not interesting one.

Westminster Council Parking Charge

2011-11-28T12:19:00.001Z

Its been a while seeing an unpopular decision as Westminster council`s plan to introduce new parking charges from next January. Not since the Poll Tax imbroglio. You know its serious when Boris Johnson and Ken Livingstone publicly and unequivocally agree on an issue. They, like a multitude of people are against the new charges. Much vociferous opposition has been raised by a broad spectrum of the population. The business owners in the West End dont like it. The churches dont like it. In fact so strong is their feelings about the the issue that they plan to put up thier own candidates come 1014 says Churches Together in Westminster. Didnt even know churches had a trade union. Theatreland is outraged. Club and restaurant owners are at arms. Even the government is not impressed. A view expressed by the delectable Transport Secretary Justine Greening this week. But neither her, nor Mayor Boris Johnson can intervene. So all the perfectly coiffured one could do was urge the boffins at Westminster council to have a rethink about the issue.

The question is, given this seemingly unanimous objection to the parking charges, why is Westminster council going ahead with the plan? According to Collin Barrow, leader of the council no one likes government decisions that involve charges. Am with him on that. But the council surely should not be seen as engaging in extortion and putting businesses at risk. Which to all intent and purposes is the case here.

My own view is that the scheme has less to do with traffic calming and more a means to raise revenue for the council. Its not about traffic calming at all. If you want to know what night time traffic tailback is go to Madrid. A city I frequent and know fairly well. The amount of traffic in the centre of the city at these hours being targeted by Westminster council is most definitely higher, if not double what we have here. Ideally I think the council should scrap the idea.

UK BORDER AGENCY ROW

2011-11-10T16:30:00.000Z

The mudslinging goes on unabated in the UK Border Agency row. The Home secretary, |Theresa May says she wasn`t aware what the Border Agency were up to talk less of giving the order. Brodie Clark says no. As I understand it she claims she only ordered a partial relaxation of entry checks. Like for travellers holding EU bio metric passports and school kids on trip. All to cut ques at points of entry. Sounds reasonable. But we now know these measures were applied to non EU passport holders as well. Mr Clark maintains Theresa May gave the go ahead and was duly aware of what was going on. Someone is lying. It`s either one or the other.

Silvio Berlusconi Agrees To Go

2011-11-10T15:44:00.000Z

As expected, Berlusconi has agreed to go. The old fox failed to gain a majority backing in the lower house and was left with no choice but to throw in the towel. One battle too many for a man who has survived 50 votes of no confidence.

Mr Berlusconi agreed to go as soon as a new goverment is in place to carry out the reforms needed to see Italy through the economic malaise it faces at the moment. As things are it seems the country is going to be be governed by a coalition of parties and technocrats. At least till elections are held and proper goverment established.

There are reports that one of Mr Berlusconi`s favourite amores, Franscesca Pascale was spotted driving into his Rome residential palace the night before the fatal vote and was seen leaving in the early hours of the morning. I say good on you Silvio. A man needs all the support he can get at such troubled times as these. Besides what are friends for? Once all this tak of new goverment is done with, the old man can have his time and privacy to himself. Bunga Bunga party and all that without fear or favour.

EURO CRISIS

2011-11-08T13:16:00.009Z

The Euro crisis claimed it`s first scalp yesterday. The Greek Prime Minister finally stepped down. How this helps the Greek situation only time will reveal. For now it`s just another chapter in the Greek economic odyssey to which we have been spectators for a year or so now. Mr George Panpandreou`s exit will at least bring new fervour to finding some kind of solution to the problems the country faces. Hopefully. Some might even argue that it will restore some confidence in the country`s ability not only to implement the needed reforms but to convince the people of Greece of their merits.

In Italy, folks are putting money on Mr Berlusconi suffering the fate as his Greek counterpart. We will know by tonight if that is the case. Mr Berlusconi has unequivocally made it clear he is not ready to go. The backbenchers are of course rattling up the hatchet. For Berlusconi the financial mess in Italy is an irritant he could well do without. He has enough people calling for him to go based on his personal conducts and allegations against him. What with all the lawsuits and whatnot. The questions is do the Italian people trust and believe him to be the man to see them through these rough times? He sure believes he is. Is he alone in this view?

The Obama Nobel Prize

2009-10-09T18:18:00.002+01:00

I do not think Obama has done anything to warrant winning this award. Not yet anyway. Ok he is theoretically, an advocate of the ideals that the award celebrates. His vision, as expressed in his speeches is underpinned by a laudable and lofty ideology. But that is all there is to it at the moment. The man is a brilliant orator, writer and intellectual ideologue. I am not saying that he is not a man of substance but we have yet to see him transform his ideas into concrete actions. It is then and only then we know his real worth. If he is worthy of the award or not.

East vs West:You Cant Have Billic

2008-09-06T13:16:00.006+01:00

A new battle is brewing between the East and the West. Forget the South Ossetia -Russia imbroglio . This one here has wider dimensions.I kid you not. It all has to do with West Ham United`s quest for a replacement for dismissed coach Alan Curbishley. Such a genial character,why he left Charlton a couple of seasons ago is still a mystery. Anyhow, there has been talk that Slaven Billic,a former West Ham player and present national coach of Croatia is one of the names being considered for the post. A brilliant and charismatic coach i must add. So no surprises why fans want him for the job.

This has drawn a serious response from high up in the echelon of power in Zagreb. No other than the President himself has taken up arms against such a move. President Vlatko Markovic said `Billic can`t go because there will be a big political problem with Croatia.`

Big political problem with Croatia ? Like diplomats being summoned to explain London`s position on the issue? Embassies shut down? Un Security Council motions tabled ?

He went on to say `It will be mission impossible. They might have money,but so do we and the Croatian FA has enough money to buy West Ham.`

Such an angry President indeed. Wonder if our Prime Minister would ever get involved in such matters. Most probably not and definitely not in those terms. I see,however ,President Markovic`s popularity rating going into stratosphere among footbal crazy Croats and nationalists alike. Not to talk of putting paid to any underhand moves by West Ham to tempt Billic to Upton Park.

£50m In 4 Months To Keep Precious Paintings Here

2008-08-28T16:06:00.005+01:00

I woke up to the news today that two precious paintings by Titian(Diana & Acteon and Diana & Callisto) loaned to the National Galleries of Scotland by Lord Sutherland since 1945 could at best be lost as a national treasure or at worst be sold abroad. A scenario neither of which bodes well for anyone remotely interested in art.

I just came back from Scotland and one of the highlights of my stay there was my visit to the National Galleries where i saw the Tracy Emin:20 Years exhibition and among others the Bridgewater Collection featuring impressive names like Raphael, Poussin and Rembrandt and of course Titian. I must confess i found Diana & Acteon a very stunning piece. Such a brilliant painting should not be allowed to be out of public view without every reasonable effort being made to secure it.

I suppose there must be a way to keep the painting if the will is strong enough.

Hillary Clinton: Eloquence Personified

2008-08-27T15:15:00.008+01:00

Hillary Clinton`s speech at the on going Democratic National Convention was much anticipated and awaited. Would she declare undying support for Obama ? Urge her supporters to rally round him ? And did she deliver a speech of a lifetime?

I personallly was not as impressed by the contents of her speech as much as i was with the style of it. I was captivated by her power of delivery and eloquence. There was a marked difference from most of her speeches during the battle with Obama for the nomination. She was relaxed and in her element.Old Bill was there grinning from ear to ear, applauding every phrase succintly put. I suspect Hilary`s performance might have gone a long way in thawing the ice that exists between the ex president and Obama`s camp. So we wait for his speech. These are very crucial times for Barrack Obama. A Bill Clinton genuine and heartfelt public endorsement could be priceless.

London Mayor: Day Of Truth

2008-05-01T15:56:00.004+01:00

Today is the day the long drawn out battle for the post of the Mayor of London comes to a conclusion. All indications are that the London media would have their wish and Boris will take the seat. But then pigs might fly and old Ken stays put. Just dont bet the mortgage on that. Even Ken seems resigned to losing the election.

Chelsea In Champions League Final

2008-05-01T15:27:00.003+01:00

I was in one of my old jaunts on the King`s Road to see last night`s semi-final of the European Champions League between Chelsea and Liverpool. What a game. I havent been that much excited by a match in a long while. Even partook in some Chelsea chants , most of which i`d rather not repeat here. We won. Deservedly so. Chelsea showed more hunger and desire. Drogba was relentless as Essien was industrious, Lampard was resolute and composed dispatching the penalty kick that gave us the lead with utmost precision. If the dead do see us living im sure his recently deceased mum,Pat would have been proud of him. Matter of fact each and every Chelsea player stood up when it mattered.
Everytime the camera beamed Sir Alex Ferguson`s face the whole place erupted with chants of `who are you`? I think the psychological advantage lies with Chelsea in the final against Manchester United in Moscow. Why? Simply because we beat them in our last encounter with them. A game we totally dominated and was unlucky to gift them a goal due to lack of concentration. Having said that you know what they say about footballl being unlike mathematics. I am, however, optimistic that we stand a good, nay, a very good chance of bringing the Champions League Cup to Stamford Bridge from Russia. Blue is the colour!

World Economic Forum:The Davos Question

2008-01-22T13:05:00.001Z

This year`s World Economic Forum starts this week in Davos Switzerland. The Davos question this year is what do we think governments,companies and individuals must do to make the world a better place in 2008. Video answers can be posted here. The most highly rated videos will be screened at the conference.

The focus of this year`s meeting are the issues of climate and terrorism. Nothing new there i suppose.

Religion Chinese Style

2007-11-11T21:22:00.000Z

The Chinese never seem to have an apology for their repressive style of government. So unabashed are they about the lack of individual freedom in China they even vied for and won the honour of hosting the world for the 2008 Olympics. So the whole universe can come and witness first hand what life is like for ordinary Chinese citizens. The right to individual choice is an inalienable right every human being should enjoy. A right not enjoyed in China today.

I can not comprehend the fact that in 2007 someone could be imprisoned for being in possession of more than one Bible. Yes that is the law in China. What it has to do with the government if a man decides to fill his house with the literary efforts of some ancient chroniclers i fail to fathom.

So i wait in eager anticipation of the conundrum such draconian intrusion would throw up when the world descends on China for the Olympics next year.

Greenwich

2007-11-11T17:27:00.001Z

I was at my old stomping ground Greenwich on Sunday. Not much has changed in the area. It warms the heart to see the Cutty Sark is being restored to it`s old glory. The ship has always been a notable point of interest in London.

The restoration is being financed by the Lottery Fund and the History Channel and is due for completion early next year.

Moment Of Truth Near For David Cameron?

2007-10-01T00:18:00.000+01:00

The opinion polls have David Cameron dead and buried if Gordon Brown were to call the general election. Seems a lightyear away from the situation a couple of weeks ago when the Brown bounce lost considerable ounces and Cameron went on the rise. The Conservative leader sounded hollow yesterday delivering his speech at the party conference. Looking a bit worse for wear he revealed a raft of new policies. Now we know the conservatives would abolish stamp duty for first time buyers and raise the threshold for inheritance tax. Good. But would these new sweeteners be enough to stem the slide of support for Cameron and the conservatives?

Like someone remarked Cameron calling on the prime minister to bring the electoral fight on now is akin to a deathrow detainee clamouring for the executioner. That is a strong way of puttting it. Thought the Blair knockout prediction was scary enough. Only a divine intervention can save the Tory leader from this fate. Going by recent polls that is.

Channel 4 Axes Celebrity Big Brother

2007-08-24T19:20:00.000+01:00

Channel 4 announced today that it axed the 2008 episode of the excreable Celebrity Big Brother. I do not know the principal reason for relieving our screens of this tomfoolery but i could not careless but have a celebratory drink. I have never been a fan of these so called reality television.

The genre is a fraud. Most of the so called celebrities are has-beens whose agents are looking for new angles to gain them publicity and revive their dead or flagging careers. And the show producers? Less said about that the better. Lets just say they have a script to which the characters in these shows are willy nilly made to work to. You get more reality watching a panto. I would gladly read the teletext backwards rather than watch programmes like Celebrity Big Brother.

I suggest they might as well get rid of Big Brother too. Such tawdry programmes would not be missed.

Boris Johnson For Mayor

2007-08-17T14:14:00.000+01:00

I am not a betting man but if i was my money would be on Boris Johnson flying the flag for the Conservatives come next year`s mayoral election. I support the choice. I do not have anything against Bozza {as he is now referred to} but he is not having my vote. Not that i am a Livingstone sympathiser as well. I do not think Livingstone listens to the people of London or carry out the wishes of the majority of the city`s inhabitants and stakeholders. Unless the Liberal Democrats come forward with a creditable candidate with a half- decent chance of winning then i shall refrain from voting in the election.

What i would like for London is a charismatic,urbane,well travelled,business savvy character with a strong link to the city. Someone who knows the city well. Someone not shackled to or encumbered by political affiliations and ideology nor driven by the quest to make political gains or points. Someone who appreciates not only the need to sell London as a brand to the world so we can maintain a competitive edge over other world class cities, but also commited wholeheartedly to finding practical and lasting solutions to the challenges faced by Londoners.

Whose name comes to mind here. One Richard Branson. I think he fits the description of what kind of mayor i envisage for London. Proven business acumen,seen a fair bit of the world{owns a bit of it too}, is well conversant with London, has a fresh outlook and and is not lacking in charisma. Please Richard Branson, be our mayor.

Alan Johnston Freed

2007-07-04T12:23:00.000+01:00

The kidnapped BBC journalist Alan Johnston was freed earlier today. Hightime. We could do with a break from the gloom and doom occasioned by the weather and recent events in the country(flood wrecking havoc and attempted terrorist attacks).

It's highly immaterial what Hamas is or not. They delivered Mr Johnston and should be thanked for their efforts. His capture never made any sense in the first instance and i think Hamas recognised this fact.

Read the full story here.

BAE And Corruption

2007-06-26T12:53:00.000+01:00

When is BAE going to shed this cloak of corruption it's adorned as a result of the Al-Yamamah deal with Saudi-Arabia? It will be a long time indeed before that C-word does not come to mind anytime BAE is mentioned. Some might even argue the company is tainted forever by the affair.

Not that the allegation has stopped BAE holding it's sway on and making tremendous inroads into the markets that matter, uniquely the American and Saudi markets . The manufacturing giant has a new deal known as Al Salaam to supply the Saudis with new 72 Eurofighter jets and just last week received approval from the Committee on foreign Investment in the United States for it's multi billion pound takeover of military ware manufaturer Amor Holdings.

The company has the government to thank for the pragmatic way it handled the investigation into the alleged payments to Prince Bandar bin Sultan to facilitate the Al Yamamah deal. One does not need a crystal ball to know that the investigation left to run its full course would have been gravely damaging to BAE in particular , British businesses and the British government in general.

It is however pertinent to ask at this juncture are there still such payments being made? Are there new safegurads to prevent a re-occurence ? Is the system more transparent now that any such `irregular`movement of funds would be too glaring and exposed for what it is?

Gordon Brown`s Cabinet

2007-06-23T13:31:00.000+01:00

Nice guy Gordon eh? We now know our Prime Minister-in-waiting has been busy putting a team together for his government.What with the Northern Ireland job being offered to old Paddy. Shame though that he had to turn it down. I do comprehend why such a cross-party alliance(for that is what essentialy it is) would at best be cumbersome and at worst unworkable. Given for example the fundamental differences between Labour and the Liberals on matters such as the iraqi conflict. Not to mention the potential intra party rancour such appointments might bring about.

Cynics already point to Brown's broad based inclusive approach as just a masterstroke to weaken or break opposition when he eventually takes over in No10.I do not subscribe to that view at all. This is just the Chancellor trying to put together a team he believes he can work with and more relevantly up to the task.Not even the most cynical of cynics would question Ashdowns`s pedigree for such a position as he was offered.

Ana Paula Oliveira

2007-06-23T12:57:00.000+01:00

Well that name most probabbly would not ring a bell.But remember where you heard it first. It belongs to a rare gem of a lady- a female footbal official. She is a notable linewswoman in Brazil. One of a few of her ilk there. Now Miss Oliveira is said to be appearing in the next issue of Playboy desnuda.

Some opine this might harm her career and ambitions as a referee but Miss Oliveira begs to differ. Matter of fact she has hopes of refereeing at the world Cup in the near future.The Brazilian Football Confederation has made it known it has no reservations about the lineswoman`s impending er er exposure. So Paula`s world Cup dream is still alive.

Can`t imagine the chants from leery fans anytime Miss Paula gives a decision. Especially to their team`s disadvantage.I think we need a Paula in the Premiership.