The London Assembly scrutinises the Mayor on a wide range of issues that are vital to Londoners and the communities where we live, from the local economy to our environment, including transport, policing and waste.
Email me, or post your question here: I’ll get back to you as soon as I can, and also post the answer, with your agreement.
Thank you for your question. I have campaigned for a fair deal for students, ever since my time as Policy Vice-Chair of the Student Liberal Democrats, and have fought four General Elections on that basis.
As a candidate in the 2010 General Election, I pledged to oppose raising the cap on tuition fees, and to support a policy of funding tuition costs through taxation. See this interview in which I said “for me it is an absolutely touchstone issue because it is about whether you think education is something worth society paying for, as opposed to the individual paying for, and I think it is.” That’s still my position.
Given that we have LibDems in a coalition government rather than a 100% LibDem government, I understand that we will not get every LibDem policy implemented; but I am frustrated that this is a key LibDem priority that has not been delivered. I remain very proud of our MPs’ achievements in the coalition in many areas, from civil liberties to pensions, but there is definitely unfinished business in terms of fairer funding of higher education.
I believe in education for its own sake, but there’s also a good social and economic case to be made. Funding higher education is good for the individual student, of course, but also for other citizens who need teachers, doctors, engineers, lawyers, etc; it’s good for the economy (we have to compete on high skills not low wages in the global marketplace).
There is also an argument on the basis of inter-generational justice.
Whether its dealing with climate change or the deficit, tackling housing costs, or investing in primary education, we’ve acknowledged that it’s wrong to dump cost and problems on the next generation. That should be true of funding higher education as well. I’ve discussed the issue with Nick Clegg, and I am aware there are some technical problems with the graduate tax idea. However, I am still hopeful that pressure from LibDem MPs and campaigners will see a fairer solution to tuition fees in the future.
In terms of the London Assembly, I think there is definitely a scrutiny role in terms of looking at the impact of changes in financial support on the range of students in London and the social & economic role played by students in the capital, and also planning policies affecting student housing; even though student finanical support is itself a national policy issue.
Q: What are the challenges facing my borough? (Merton resident)
A: Merton has a microcosm of many of the challenges facing London as a whole: bridging the gap between rich and poor communities living alongside each other; creating an economy that is truly sustainable, in economic. social and environmental terms (everything from housing costs to supporting local shops and promoting renewable energy); keeping London’s transport moving (I fully supported proposals to do Northern Line works en bloc rather than dragging them out) ; and keeping Londoners safe.
The possible merger of Merton and Sutton police services is obviously topical right now, but how to cut police costs while maintaining services is an ongoing issue. I am frustrated by how badly the Met uses new technology compared to some forces; they could do more, not in a Big Brother way, but to keep the public informed, seek help, and save staff time.
As an Olympic host borough, courtesy of Wimbledon, you will have a particular interest in harnessing the Olympic legacy which is one of my ‘big issues’ for the next Assembly. Having worked for the Sports Council and been part of the team that negotiated the regeneration benefits of the new Emirates stadium, this is an area where I feel I have a real contribution to make.
I’d also highlight the range of light industry in the borough as something to encourage, bringing new tech and green industries into the mix. I’ve seen how rising land costs and transport challenges have driven much light industry out of inner London boroughs like mine in recent years; this is an area where inner London’s loss could be Merton’s gain.
Q: You say you will be a full time candidate, but will you also be a full time Assembly member if elected?
A: Absolutely – I take that as a given. Being an Assembly member is a full-time job. If selected in an electable position, my commitment starts now.
Q: Where do you stand on the issue of extending the congestion charging zone to West London? If you are opposed to this extension , how soon will you be trying to bring it back to normal ?
A: The Liberal Democrat group on the London Assembly has always opposed the western extension, and that’s my position too.
The aim of the original central congestion charge zone was to reduce car traffic in central London and so tackle congestion and pollution. The western extension has had the opposite effect as it enabled more people to drive within the zone. Residents rejected the extension in consultations before and after it was introduced. So it was ineffective and undemocratic: a bad idea.
The current Mayor has listened to our demands, and pledged to scrap the western extension of the zone at the end of this year. As part of the Liberal Democrat team for London, I will be doing all I can to see Boris keeps his word.
Bridget4London: why I\'m seeking your vote
In this new video, Bridget Fox, Liberal Democrat candidate for the London Assembly, outlines why she will make a powerful contribution at City Hall.
My pledges to you are:
Bridget Fox has made it on to the Liberal Democrat short-list for a place on the London-wide list for the London Assembly. It will now be up to Liberal Democrat party members across London to decide whether she will get a place on the final list.
Bridget says;
“I’m delighted to have been short-listed for the London-wide list for the London Assembly. I’m an award-winning campaigner, with the right policy background to hold the Mayor to account, and the media skills to speak up for our values.”
