Freedom Passes - To the Editor

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Letters to the Editor Letters To the Editor Freedom Passes

22/11/2007 13:13

	Dan Lodge
1 posts

Freedom Passes

Dear Editor, Lodge: 'Actions speak louder than words.' Tory MP Stephen Hammond has taken umbrage at my defence of the Freedom Pass. Funding for the Freedom Pass is currently agreed between London's boroughs. But the Mayor can step in and guarantee it if no agreementis reached between the capital's 33 councils by December of each year. This is to ensure the scheme cannot be watered down or under-funded. During a parliamentary debate, Mr Hammond tabled amendment to end the Mayor 's final say on the pass. He protests his support for the Pass but actions speak louder than words. Put simply, I question his motives and objective in tabling that amendment. Ken Livingstone said, "My ability to guarantee the Freedom Pass each year ensures older and disabled Londoners continue to get the free travel concessions they are entitled to". "The campaign against the cost of the Freedom Pass is a threat to the pass itself". I happen to agree and I am not alone. The Secretary of the London Older People's Strategies Group, added: 'We are deeply concerned about the moves to abolish the Mayor's guarantee of the scheme. 'Withdrawal or restriction of it would disastrously restrict the lives of over a million Londoners.' As for Mr Hammonds threats and insults I take advice from the words of Archie Norman, former deputy chairman of the Tory Party, who once advised Mike Bloomberg on going into politics, "Get a tin hat and a thick skin." Local residents care about trains and buses not threats and bluster. Dan Lodge Prospective Parliamentary Candidate