Do we have answers on People’s Question Time?

Dave Mentiply wonders how open to questioning the Mayor really is.

In his 2008 manifesto pledge to make London more accountable (pdf), Boris Johnson criticised Ken Livingstone’s attitude towards the People’s Question Time. He vowed to increase its frequency to a minimum of four each year thereby giving Londoners a better opportunity to engage with their elected Mayor.

However, on the official website for London Mayor it states that meetings are held just twice a year. There is absolutely no mention of the pledge in his manifesto to host a minimum of four per year. Since Boris Johnson was elected, meetings have been held in Bromley (2008), Bethnal Green and Brixton (2009), Harrow and Camden (2010), and Wandsworth and Havering (2011). That’s eight People’s Question Time events in four years when there should have been at least 16.

The next People’s Question Time is scheduled for March in Hammersmith. According to this tweet from Jenny Jones (h/t Londonist), the event is undersubscribed. Curious, given the fact that Boris was going to ‘ensure maximum participation’ by advertising each session to as wide an audience as possible.

Another gripe is that on the Mayor of London website assurances are made that after each People’s Question Time event, a full transcript, audio recording and webcast will be available. As far as I can tell, only transcripts can be accessed. Not good enough for those who are unable to read the text.

It’s clear that Boris Johnson has failed to live up to his promises on the People’s Question Time. He treats them as an unwelcome distraction and seems to avoid engaging with Londoners on issues that matter to them. Will he make reference to the People’s Question Time in his 2012 manifesto? One suspects not.