The Metropolis

Mayor Johnson's big fat incumbency boost

Mike Pollitt | Monday 9 January, 2012 10:45

Ah, the joys of incumbency. @MOLpresents is promoting summer in the city with the above video. In it we see the London we all know and love – a city of stilt walkers, happy looking pedestrians and smiling men in vans. It’s quite uncanny.

Given that there’s a Mayoral election in May, it’s worth noting the image boost these promotions afford the incumbent. Who wouldn\t want to vote for a guy who’s arranging a citywide party this summer to which everyone’s invited?

I don’t think there’s anything particularly wrong with this. It’s not fair, it’s politics. But it underlines the inbuilt advantage Mayor Johnson has over his challengers as the race begins.

In the same vein, Diamond Geezer reports on a new TFL leaflet summarising recent service improvements which he feels oversteps the line:

“As I say, TfL have every right to crow about all the improvements they’re making on our behalf. But why release a convenient potted summary now, reminding us how great the last three years have been, and how many more great things are due in the first half of 2012? With TfL’s Chairman’s up for re-election at the ballot box in May, I have to say, this campaign smacks of using public money for covert electioneering.”

Diamond Geezer – Every journey matters
MOLpresents – website

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