<pre>A single marker shows how far London has come in the past eight years.
In 2000, at the time of the first mayoral election, Londoners thought
heir competition was with Paris or Frankfurt. Nobody in London thinks in
those terms now. Probably the defining moment was when London beat the
favourite, Paris, to win the Olympics. The feeling that spread across
the capital was: our city can achieve anything it sets its mind to.

Londoners' comparison now is whether London is ahead of New York. The
contest for number-one city in the world, with only two in the race.

Currently London is ahead. I believe London can increase its lead. But
there is no room for complacency. We must continue further down the
path London has followed if we are to enhance our position as the world's
number-one city.

Even more important than international comparisons is what Londoner's
feel about our city. I could cite opinion polling on increased
satisfaction with living in London, improvement in the transport system, and so
on - but I think London's mood of confidence was really summed up
recently by the incredible 700,000 people who attended the city's New Year's
fireworks.

London's business and economic success is vital. But most important is
how this translates into improvement in Londoners' quality of life and
constant expansion of their range of choices.

My most central pledge at this election is therefore that London will
continue to be successful; that I will not rely on the myth ofautomatic
'trickle down' to ensure every Londoner shares in that success but take
practical measures to ensure they do; and that London will tackle the
great environmental problems, above all climate change, to ensure that
our success is sustainable.

Eight years ago London's public services were disastrously run down.
Now London is undergoing the greatest wave of investment since the Second
World War. Every day an extra two million people ride a radically
improved bus system. There are 10,000 extra uniformed police officers, with
crime falling for five years in a row. Despite the serious problem of
teenage killings, murder in London is down by more than a quarter.

A 10 per cent increase in London's public transport capacity will be
secured by a £16 billion investment in Crossrail. On the Tube a £1
billion-a-year modernisation programme has begun.

New York is following London in introducing congestion charging - one
of the path-breaking transport measures London introduced.

Carrying through this build up of London's transport system is the key
to the city being able to sustain its success and also, because of its
huge cost, the key to the city's finances.

London also faces the key issues of the beginning of the 21st century.
We must continue to reduce crime. Despite the substantial fall in
offences during the past five years, there remains the serious problem of
teenage murders. Due to increased police numbers, overall crime is
falling at six per cent a year, and I believe that can be sustained across a
new mayoral term, while simultaneously more resources are devoted to
dealing with particularly serious crimes. I will spend £79 million to
rebuild the youth programmes that were cut in the past 20 years and help
reintegrate alienated young people into society.

The rise of the huge new economies of China and India, the greatest
change in the world economy for 100 years, will affect the future income
and job of every Londoner.

It will give tremendous opportunities to London if we seize them.
Overseas companies and the tourist industry have already created more than
700,000 jobs here. That is why London has opened up offices in China and
India, to attract investment and tourists, and therefore jobs, to our
city.

Housebuilding in London is beginning to rise but there is a danger it
will focus only on high-cost housing. This is why I have introduced the
rule that half of all new housing must be affordable.

Another important improvement is the launch of London Overground
-Transport for London taking control of part of the rail system. Few things
could be more striking than the contrast between the freeze in fares
this January on the parts of the transport system on which I set prices,
and the huge fare increases imposed elsewhere by the private
train operating companies.

Now, more of London's rail network must be brought under Transport for
London so that the advantages of Oyster-cards, proper staffing and
enhanced security can be spread to rail travellers.

I have never shared the Tory belief in 'trickle down' to deliver
benefit to all Londoners. That is why the Olympics are not only a boost to
the city's tourism and the best party we will ever have; they are also
the biggest regeneration scheme east London has seen.

It is also why I have announced that the Freedom Pass will be valid 24
hours a day. Today I confirm that I will extend the present 30 per cent
discount that full-time college students are able to claim on season
tickets to one-day Travelcards and Oyster pay-as-you-go – one of the
most pressing demands on London's students.

Community relations in London are good. Racist attacks have fallen by
almost two-thirds in the past eight years. But maintaining good
community relations remains at the top of my priorities.

Finally the great new issue at the beginning of the 21st century is the
environment and climate change. London has adopted the most
comprehensive plan on this of any city in the world. To strengthen these policies
I have proposed a £25 daily charge for the most carbon-emitting
'Chelsea tractors' using the congestion charging zone, and the introduction
of a zero charge for low carbon-emitting cars. Boris Johnson and Brian
Paddick have already announced their opposition to this.

The choice in London at the next election for Mayor is clear. If you
believe the direction London has been going in for the past eight years
is fundamentally right and should continue further, vote for me. If you
don't then you are right to vote for another candidate.</pre>