1240 GMT
London
Tuesday
19 January 2010
Editor © Muhammad Haque
Just two days short of four months after he had ‘warned’ against CrossRail, Vince Cable is exposed as totally unplugged again.
Not that this is happening for the first time.
Cable was exposed as being also clueless only three weeks after that.
Khoodeelaar! Exclusively disclosed on AADHIKARonline on 15 October 2009 that Vince Cable had made an astonishingly ignorant, ill-informed and EMBARASSINGLY out of touch and UNPLUGGED statement in Tower Hamlets about CrossRail. And also about Tower Hamlets itself.
Today’s appearance of Cable with Clegg in the 'political news' column written by the same member of the London EVENING STANDARD staff member [who had reported in September 2009 on Cable’s previous state of ignorance about Crossrail] and making a contradictory statement about Crossrail, shows that there is no end to the number of times that Cable can prance and parade his confusion.
So in addition to being the Cable Unplugged, he is hereby being given an additional label: Vince Cable the Confused.
[To be continued]
Crossrail not a key priority for us, warns Vince Cable
Nicholas Cecil, Chief Political Correspondent21.09.09
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Crossrail's future was thrown into unprecedented doubt today as its all-party support appeared to unravel.
In an exclusive interview with the Standard, Liberal Democrat economic spokesman Vince Cable became the first political heavyweight to warn that the £16 billion east-west rail scheme for London was unlikely to be a "key priority".
Amid fears that it may be deemed too expensive in a slump, Boris Johnson "begged" ministers to spare Crossrail and other major infrastructure projects from the axe. The Mayor pleaded in his weekly newspaper column for Crossrail not to be sacrificed to the recession - just months after shadow Chancellor George Osborne refused to guarantee that a Tory government would press ahead with the project.
"We need high-speed rail, Crossrail, an upgraded Tube and, with Heathrow running at 99 per cent capacity, we need a new and visionary solution to our aviation needs," Mr Johnson wrote. "As the politicians rev their chainsaws, I beg them to remember this key point: that it is only by investing for the long-term in infrastructure that you can create the strong entrepreneurial economy that can pay for strong public services."
However, Mr Cable, the Twickenham MP and his party's Treasury spokesman, suggested that Crossrail may have to rely less on public funding and warned against being "mesmerised" by big projects. "I doubt that in our list of key spending priorities at the next general election, we are going to be listing X-billion pounds of taxpayers' cash to invest in Crossrail," he said. "They have got to try and find a funding mechanism that isn't so dependent on the public sector."
Mr Cable called the new line, due for completion in 2017, "desirable in a general sense for London". But he stressed: "The point that is often made that if you are trying to use public investment to get maximum benefit, a whole series of small projects would give a better return.
"Certainly in south-west London, we have these arguments about using Waterloo International (the former Eurostar platforms). It involves very little money, it's just sitting there. It's an absolute scandal.
"We are not arguing for stopping the project but equally we are not suggesting that we should be finding lots more public money for it. We just can't afford it in the current environment." Mr Cable, who has called for greater honesty over looming public spending cuts, said money already "committed" to the scheme should be paid.
But it was not clear whether he believes that ministers should meet the full £5.1 billion government contribution for the new line, which will run from Maidenhead and Heathrow under central London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.
However, a spokesman for big business organisation London First said: "What is the normally thoughtful Dr Cable talking about?
"Rarely if ever has there been an infrastructure project less reliant on the central government purse. Crossrail relies on the Exchequer for roughly a third of its costs, with London businesses, London council tax payers and passengers picking up the rest." Writing for The Standard about his general approach to slashing public spending, he added: "We need to start on the basis that everything is on the table; everything must be looked at and judged on its merits." In his speech to his party's rally in Bournemouth, Mr Cable was proposing that the Government set up a British version of the European Investment Bank to fund major infrastructure projects.
He argued it would "bring together private capital and professional management under government sponsorship".
Party officials later insisted there had been no change in policy on being "very supportive" of Crossrail. A spokesman said: "We are not proposing to change the funding package."
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Reader views (27)
It is a total crime that a the moment Heathrow Express can hold people ransom to crazy expensive fares to the airport. It is more expensive than Concorde per min! London needs Crossrail to replace this rip off and give us a cheap and fast way to get to the airport.
- Richard Robinbum, Paddington, London
- Richard Robinbum, Paddington, London
"We are not arguing for stopping the project but equally we are not suggesting that we should be finding lots more public money for it."
Which bit of this do some posters not understand?
If you want crossrail to go ahead with the cost to the public finances kept to a minimum, vote for Vince. Or do you want someone less thrifty in charge to sign a series of blank cheques?
- Brian, London
Which bit of this do some posters not understand?
If you want crossrail to go ahead with the cost to the public finances kept to a minimum, vote for Vince. Or do you want someone less thrifty in charge to sign a series of blank cheques?
- Brian, London
The Lib Dems just lost 1 regular voter.
Visitors are constantly remarking at the state of the transport system in London. One recent visitor commented on the Jubilee line also being closed for long periods 4 years ago on his last visit. Living in London we just get used to the constant closures, and part closures as if they are normal. If Crossrail is to be cancelled then London needs other transport projects in the same time frame!
- Jay, London
Visitors are constantly remarking at the state of the transport system in London. One recent visitor commented on the Jubilee line also being closed for long periods 4 years ago on his last visit. Living in London we just get used to the constant closures, and part closures as if they are normal. If Crossrail is to be cancelled then London needs other transport projects in the same time frame!
- Jay, London
'Crossrail not a priority for us'
Well Mr Cable, voting for your party is not a priority for me.
- Andrew, Ely UK
Well Mr Cable, voting for your party is not a priority for me.
- Andrew, Ely UK
I agree with Vince Cable, Crossrail is taking over an already good service from my part of Essex as well as west from Paddington, it is swallowing money from other projects, Cross River Tram DLR extension to Dagenham,enlargement of Victoria tube station & who knows what else. If it goes ahead those using the lines from Essex & Berkshire are going to suffer closures & delays during construction. After all who would get an all stations train from Shenfield to Heathrow when ther are faster alternatives available. It is just a politicians ego trip at huge expense to the tax payer. SCRAP IT before it goes too far.
- Phil Robinson, Billericay Essexs
- Phil Robinson, Billericay Essexs
Crossrail is a genuine investment in London's future. Once built, it will last for centuries. It's clearly needed.
This is exactly the sort of thing that should NOT be cut during a recession. It'll be cheaper to build it while contractors are desperate for the business, and it will have removed a constraint on London's public transport capacity once the recession is over. It will be doubly cheaper, since it'll also be emplying construction workers who would otherwise be out of a job and claiming benefits.
What should be cut is bureaucrats and quangos that are a drag on the economy during the good times and bad times alike. These suck resources out of the real economy, they create nothing with any long-term value, and worst they can only impede those who are trying to build the future. Why, for example, is the UK tax code thicker than that of any other Western nation?
- Nigel, London
This is exactly the sort of thing that should NOT be cut during a recession. It'll be cheaper to build it while contractors are desperate for the business, and it will have removed a constraint on London's public transport capacity once the recession is over. It will be doubly cheaper, since it'll also be emplying construction workers who would otherwise be out of a job and claiming benefits.
What should be cut is bureaucrats and quangos that are a drag on the economy during the good times and bad times alike. These suck resources out of the real economy, they create nothing with any long-term value, and worst they can only impede those who are trying to build the future. Why, for example, is the UK tax code thicker than that of any other Western nation?
- Nigel, London
Crossrail is too expensive for any benefits it may provide; there's already an expensive way to get from Heathrow into Central London - the Heathrow Express, or Heathrow Connect which is cheaper. The money saved would be much better spent on plugging any large holes in TFL's finances & on the existing tube network
- Ed S, London
- Ed S, London
"Liberal Democrat" and "political heavyweight" in the same sentence... ha ha ha ha ha
- D.W., London
- D.W., London
Crossrail, tube extensions, where and for what, London is dead, there's hardly any jobs anymore, or money. I guess the only use crossrail has is to transport the alcoholic society home every night, and to create revenue for Threat For London (TFL)
- Dan, London
- Dan, London
YES A GREAT IDEA Lets scrap at least part of it. It's a pig-in-the-poke and we all know it.
No matter what we need to save money to recover the economy especially on expensive imports so, scrap the SE London section to New Lagos (AKA Thamesmead), with additional tunnels and no perceivable value there is no point in developing this part of the network. It leads to a tip full of festering garbage at Woolwich and Abbey Wood, the potential consumers do not justify the phenomenal amount of funding !
Make the Heathrow leg fully funded by BAA, including the highly expensive flyover for train access. Or if no funds, scrap this access route. Why should the people of London fund the Spanish privately owned BAA?
This must make some sense, go on Lib Dems, start slashing !!!!!!
- Jenny, Kent
No matter what we need to save money to recover the economy especially on expensive imports so, scrap the SE London section to New Lagos (AKA Thamesmead), with additional tunnels and no perceivable value there is no point in developing this part of the network. It leads to a tip full of festering garbage at Woolwich and Abbey Wood, the potential consumers do not justify the phenomenal amount of funding !
Make the Heathrow leg fully funded by BAA, including the highly expensive flyover for train access. Or if no funds, scrap this access route. Why should the people of London fund the Spanish privately owned BAA?
This must make some sense, go on Lib Dems, start slashing !!!!!!
- Jenny, Kent
It does seem somewhat strange to rule out really important infrastructure programmes like this. London is alreay grinding to a halt. To cancel this would set London back years. I don't know how the Lib Dems think that people are going to get around town once the olympics are here. Or for that matter keeping London a top business centre for years to come. Seems like they want to run London into the ground. That to me is why i will not be voting Liberal Democrat!
- Janine, London
- Janine, London
Ken cancelled The West London Tram project to pay for this...So now we won't get either. WoW!!! London is really moving forward in the public transport stakes. Still First Group...or is it Worst Group...and other bus operators will be happy as everyone will have no alternative but to use their buses.
- Mark H, London, England
- Mark H, London, England
If we are in a recession why not put the mega project off until it's safe financially to do so . This is not Boris Johnson's money and it will not cost him . Also look at all the other problems his Mayoralty is plaqued with . It is better to be safe then sorry and everyone should be cautious with any thing that Boris Johnson says.
- Mr Fren, London
- Mr Fren, London
If we are in a recession why not put the mega project off until it's safe financially to do so . This is not Boris Johnson's money and it will not cost him . Also look at all the other problems his Mayoralty is plaqued with . It is better to be safe then sorry and everyone should be cautious with any thing that Boris Johnson says.
- Mr Fren, London
- Mr Fren, London
If we are in a recession why not put the mega project off until it's safe financially to do so . This is not Boris Johnson's money and it will not cost him . Also look at all the other problems his Mayoralty is plaqued with . It is better to be safe then sorry and everyone should be cautious with any thing that Boris Johnson says.
- Mr Fren, London
- Mr Fren, London
I don't think there's any danger of the LibDems cancelling CrossRail. Cable and Co appear to have delusions of grandeur, as they are overlooking the fact that they have zero chance of being in power this time next year.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, the Scottish one
- Nobby Clark, Perth, the Scottish one
Crossrail will benefit relatively few for the high cost involved and the construction will cause inconvenience on an unprecedented scale. The centre of London is choked by half empty buses. We can make a start by having a tram system along traffic free Oxford and Regent Streets but learn from the chaos in Edinburgh caused by their tram works.
- Jack Spratt, Richmond, Surrey
- Jack Spratt, Richmond, Surrey
Anyone using the Central line during rush hour knows that Crossrail needed building years ago. The eastern section has become seriously overcrowded to the point of being dangerous. The Lib Dems have just lost my vote!
- S Robertson,, London
- S Robertson,, London
When will the likes of Cable understand that not having a proper rail system in London will mean that firms will not invest in London due to the problems in getting around. All of the sudden he seems to be holding himself up as the only politician who understand the economy which he is not All he knows is how to make headlines, I pity Twickenham for having him as their MP.
- Bob, London
- Bob, London
Perhaps my old MP Vince would have a different opinion if Crossrail were still serving Richmond instead of bypassing it?
"we need a new and visionary solution to our aviation needs,"
Where's the Oakervee Report then, Boris? Out with it. The Thames Estuary Airport lobbyists have been *very* quiet lately.
"We can't afford Crossrail"
Nonsense, we can't afford *not* to have it. Efficient public transport is not a luxury in a world-class city, it's essential. As Paul B points out, we're catching up for the years of non-investment here.
[other reasons: we're over-reliant on buses in London, which are slow and not particularly efficient as public transport goes. Part of the reason for this is that the increase in bus capacity was intended to tide us over until the Tube upgrades and new lines (plus various tram schemes, now sadly canned) came on-stream, which are a much better solution - faster, cleaner, more capacious and don't take up road-space. The alternative to Crossrail and other investment, therefore, is a continuation of reliance on large yearly bus subsidies to pay for routes far more suitable for rail-based transport].
- Tom, London, UK
"we need a new and visionary solution to our aviation needs,"
Where's the Oakervee Report then, Boris? Out with it. The Thames Estuary Airport lobbyists have been *very* quiet lately.
"We can't afford Crossrail"
Nonsense, we can't afford *not* to have it. Efficient public transport is not a luxury in a world-class city, it's essential. As Paul B points out, we're catching up for the years of non-investment here.
[other reasons: we're over-reliant on buses in London, which are slow and not particularly efficient as public transport goes. Part of the reason for this is that the increase in bus capacity was intended to tide us over until the Tube upgrades and new lines (plus various tram schemes, now sadly canned) came on-stream, which are a much better solution - faster, cleaner, more capacious and don't take up road-space. The alternative to Crossrail and other investment, therefore, is a continuation of reliance on large yearly bus subsidies to pay for routes far more suitable for rail-based transport].
- Tom, London, UK
Vince Cable is talking sense here too on CrossRail.
It looks a very bloated project post-recession.
Already, they have awarded expensive management contracts and seem to adopt the normal commercially naive, let taxpayers carry the risk approach prevalent during the past decade or so when the economy seemed buoyant.
The CrossRail team have to do far better in attracting private sector investment before any taxpayers money is put at risk - alternatively cancel it.
- Mike, London
It looks a very bloated project post-recession.
Already, they have awarded expensive management contracts and seem to adopt the normal commercially naive, let taxpayers carry the risk approach prevalent during the past decade or so when the economy seemed buoyant.
The CrossRail team have to do far better in attracting private sector investment before any taxpayers money is put at risk - alternatively cancel it.
- Mike, London
The annual welfare spending (benefits, etc) in the UK runs to over £150bn, whilst the whole transport budget is squeezed into £21bn. Transport infrastructure projects like Crossrail deliver huge long term benefits to the national economy, whereas welfare spending does not.
I know where I would be wielding the axe.
- Richard, Oxford
I know where I would be wielding the axe.
- Richard, Oxford
Well done Nick Cecil in exposing the LibDems for what they really are. Anti rail and anti London. If ever there was an example that proves that the short-termist LibDems can not be trusted with the environment its Vince Cable's completely bonkers assertion that Crossrail should be scrapped. Crossrail is not for now. Its for 2017 and way beyond. Its for helping building Britain out of the recession. Its for delivering a railway that will serve the millions of new jobs and the massive rise in population that's coming London's way. But then the LibDems probably haven't thought that far ahead.
- Luke, London
- Luke, London
London businesses and council tax payers should NOT be paying for this.
Can it not be payed for by advertising on the stations, inside/outside of the trains, tickets, etc.?
London businesses are struggeling enough as it is and will have another 10/15% increase in their business rates next April without this.
Enough is enough
- Mario Kempe, london
Can it not be payed for by advertising on the stations, inside/outside of the trains, tickets, etc.?
London businesses are struggeling enough as it is and will have another 10/15% increase in their business rates next April without this.
Enough is enough
- Mario Kempe, london
Boris is right, and I never thought I'd ever say that! It really is time to cut away all those blood-sucking quangos, licenses for this and that, and all the well meaning but ineffective schemes that have burdened both public sector and private firms since Thatcher decided to control everything. That's why there are more paper-shufflers than nurses.
The accumulation of useless bureacrats was forseeen by Parkinson's Law of course. Why isn't this book re-published immediately?
By the time Crossrail is started, the slump will be history, in any case.
- Alex Mckenna, Woodford
The accumulation of useless bureacrats was forseeen by Parkinson's Law of course. Why isn't this book re-published immediately?
By the time Crossrail is started, the slump will be history, in any case.
- Alex Mckenna, Woodford
Politicians need to research their history. The Victoria Line was delayed for many years as thought that nobody was going to use it. Look at it now. The same shortsightedness will delay CrossRail which should also have been built years ago.
- Paul B, LOndon
- Paul B, LOndon
We can't afford Crossrail. People need to realise the next decade is going to be harsh, tough and with minimal luxuries. As a nation we need to buck up and get down to hard work to put this nation back on track. Complaining about crowded tube trains or not getting a seat on a train is not going to get us anywhere.
- Frank, London
- Frank, London
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