New Clause 21
Greater London Authority Bill
11:45 am
Andrew Pelling (Croydon Central, Conservative)
The clause is entirely without party politics; it is all about improving the prospects for London in undertaking the games. I have no desire to be partisan on this clause.
The success of the games will be important for the UK’s international reputation. Within a partisan election, it is inevitable that the Mayor will be distracted by the election taking place just a few months before the Olympics take place. There is the prospect of a great deal of distraction from the important attention that we should ask the Mayor to give to the Olympic games.
I know that it is important always to be cautious about changing the rhythm of the electoral cycle, but if we set the term of office for the assembly and the Mayor well in advance and know that the elections in 2008 are for a five-year term, we will take partisan politics, as exemplified by the intervention by the hon. Member for Battersea, out of the Olympics, as they are too important for London and the United Kingdom to be sullied by a party political campaign.