Mayor Boris Johnson remains popular in Wimbledon despite his support being challenged at a recent assembly meeting.
By Chris Madden
Mayor Boris Johnson remains popular in Wimbledon despite his support being challenged at a recent assembly meeting.
Assembly member Joanne McCartney questioned whether Labour’s gains in recent local elections demonstrated the Mayor’s falling popularity.
But Wimbledon residents seem to agree with Mr Johnson that his support is still widespread.
“There is a very high level, broad satisfaction with the policies we are pursuing,” said Mr Johnson.
“I am very reassured by that.”
He rejected Ms McCartney’s suggestion that he and his policies are unpopular, at the May 19th Mayor’s questions.
Mr Johnson cited the Annual London Survey’s demonstration of satisfaction with the Mayoralty.
Wimbledon residents seem pleased with the Mayor’s work.
“I like him,” said resident Edward Zecler.
“I think he is doing a good job; so far, so good.”
The 2010 Survey showed that 26% of Londoners are either very or fairly satisfied with the Mayor’s work.
A further 40% claimed to be neither satisfied nor dissatisfied.
Only 11% of people claimed any dissatisfaction, with 23% giving no opinion.
Mr Johnson claimed that to take responsibility for Labour’s local gains he would have to take credit for the Conservatives national gains.
“It is the vice of politicians to think that they are responsible for everything,” said Mr Johnson.
“In some infantile way we believe that we control the world and everything happens because we want it to happen.”
Those dissatisfied with the Mr are voicing their concerns.
“Ask him to stop removing people’s freedom of speech. This cannot go on,” wrote Twitter member dbudlov.
The recent local elections gave Labour a majority, controlling 17 of London’s councils.
Labour won 10 new councils, while the Conservatives won one.
Mr Johnson was questioned regarding his appearances on the Conservative election campaign trail.
He said that he appeared appropriately considering the work there is to do in London.
The next Mayoral election will be in 2010.
