Ken Livingstone: I would hold referendum on south Croydon joining Surrey
KEN Livingstone has vowed to let the south of the borough of Croydon break free from London and join Surrey.
Labour's mayoral candidate told the Advertiser he would give the green light to a referendum if there was demand for it.
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Ken Livingstone would allow a referendum on whether the south of Croydon should re-join Surrey if he was elected as London Mayor, he told the Croydon Advertiser
He said: "If people in southern Croydon want a referendum on going back to Surrey, I wouldn't stand in their way."
Mr Livingstone hinted that a poll was long overdue as "there wasn't a democratic vote" when the south of the borough joined London in 1965, but the idea is likely to divide voters.
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Croydon, Surrey or Croydon, London? Read more here
Mr Livingstone, mayor from 2000 to 2008, added: "Before the then Tory government made these changes, Croydon really stopped at New Addington. If people really hate that and they wanted to go back to Surrey I don't think I would send in troops to shoot them.
"All I say is 'look, you might be on the edge of it, but you are part of the greatest city in the world, which under my leadership will once again soar in magnificence and splendour; would you really not want to be a part of that?'"
Dropping the southern third of Croydon would be beneficial for Mr Livingstone as voting trends show it is a Tory stronghold.
Last month, a poll conducted by the Advertiser found 62 per cent of people living in Purley, Kenley, Coulsdon and Sanderstead preferred to say they live in Surrey, rather than Croydon or London.
East Coulsdon Residents' Association chairman Charles King said: "Moving us from Croydon to Surrey might sound attractive at first call, but on reflection do our senior citizens want to lose their Freedom Pass, the most generous pensioner pass in Britain?"
However, Purley and Woodcote Residents' Association chairman Tarsem Flora said being part of Croydon put pressure on the south to urbanise. He added: "I think certainly in Purley a lot of people would prefer to be in Surrey.
"It is something that needs to be sorted out because people raise questions about it, but a referendum might be going too far."
Comments
by djerbel2
Wednesday, March 07 2012, 2:22PM
“when he was mayor ken was very often seen on the tube going about his work.”
by Gary_Hawkins
Wednesday, March 07 2012, 12:36PM
“@Chris Do you think Ken actually uses public transport?”
by christopm
Wednesday, March 07 2012, 11:59AM
“This is one of those things where Ken's probably overheard to 2 people on a bus who've heard of Croydon and who think it's a little bit far outside of London, but then Ken left the bus and conversation mid-way through, just before the 2 people decided that actually, due to it's remarkably quick rail services into the City and it's city like feel, it is rightly part of London.”
by tbabygib
Tuesday, March 06 2012, 7:46PM
“Swordtail, He does't, He Just wants rid to save LONDON money.
I Recokon if he Could, He would send everyone out side the SE/ SW postcodes UP NORTH !!!;)”
by Swordtail
Tuesday, March 06 2012, 7:29PM
“What makes Ken think we want the Croydon Borough oiks in Surrey?”
by realtestman
Tuesday, March 06 2012, 12:41PM
“Who is to say that Tfl buses won't still run? If the former Coulsdon and Purley Urban District went back to Surrey, it doesn't necessarily mean the TfL buses will suddenly stop running down there, after all, TfL buses don't run exclusively in Greater London - as Watford shows - Watford is in Hertfordshire - or Epsom Downs - in Surrey (and they're just two of many examples). In fact, Tfl transport has never have been exclusive to London.
The former Coulsdon and Purley Urban District going back to Surrey (if it happens) would simply mean (in this context) losing the Freedom Pass as it won't be London, it doesn't necessarily mean losing transport services.
Then again, it's possible that the Freedom Pass could easily include parts of Surrey anyway - the Freedom Pass only covering Greater London is not a hard-and-fast rule and whichever borough that would take over could easily budget for this if it is determined to be important enough to keep this covering that area.”
by cro_negative
Monday, March 05 2012, 9:16PM
“I wouldn't worry about losing your freedom passes, as there would be no buses to use them on anyway if Surrey CC took over.”
by tbabygib
Monday, March 05 2012, 9:09PM
“" Purpose"”
by tbabygib
Monday, March 05 2012, 7:54PM
“The 3rd, La Has Voice even though its not the one you choose to read.
Myself often disagree with "LA", But there is No reason to be rude towards her is there?
She Was a teacher, then an adult teacher for years, If she was unfit for porpoise then she would have been sacked ! END OF Really.”
by The3rd
Monday, March 05 2012, 5:32PM
“LaFantasy - You claim to be some kind of teacher; with manners like yours I can see why so many children are rude and lawless.
I suggest you go back to school and learn some manners. Or at least learn to have a debate without sinking into the gutter.”