Video farewell

Jacqueline Alexander shot and edited this video of Boris responding to some noisy wellwishers after his resignation: Farewell Henley The appearance was also a chance for Boris to ‘introduce’ John Howell as the chosen Conservative candidate for the by-election to be held on 26 June.

The video is also available on the Henley Standard website.

Thanks, Jacqueline!

Good-natured parting

Boris was in typical form as he used his “last few seconds” in the House to  highlight some achievements.  Breaking with House etiquette, the Speaker cheerfully reminded “the Mayor” that he was only allowed one supplementary question, not three, and the Prime Minister added that he was sure, “The whole House is going to miss the contributions of the hon. Gentleman, not only in speech, but in writing.”  See more

Confirmation

Boris has today officially confirmed that he is to step down as MP for Henley and a by-election will, therefore, be held.

Survey of residents

Admitting that, “these last seven years have been the happiest and most productive of my professional life,” and that he is proud not to have missed “a single constituency engagement” in the last few months,  Boris has sent a survey form to constituency residents asking for feedback on issues of local importance.  Known as he is for listening and for talking with people wherever he goes within the constituency, this form is intended to reach even more people so please do complete and return it.  (And, of course, add your views here!)

TV skills find local use

As interested as ever in new means of communicating with constituents, Boris was delighted this week to be the Henley Standard’s interviewee for the paper’s inaugural online video. With typical onscreen energy, he acknowledged that he will soon be moving on, praised Henley for its cultural and sporting life and congratulated the paper for its reporting and technological initiative.

John Howell

In readiness for Boris standing down, it has been announced that Cllr. Dr John Howell, a former partner at City accountant Ernst and Young, was chosen from a shortlist of three. Mr Howell said it was a “huge privilege” to have been selected and he is to spend time talking with and meeting as many constituents as possible before the anticipated by-election.

Open letter to Henley constituents

Boris has posted an open farewell and thank-you to his constituents in the Henley Standard. The full text is now repeated here (click on the following line):
Read the rest of this entry and add your comments »

Boris is Mayor of London

Boris Johnson is the new Mayor of London. In a contest that has fascinated media all over the world, Boris beat his rival, the eight-year incumbent Mayor Ken Livingstone, by 139,772 votes. The election drew a record turnout by London voters, reflecting the high profile of the two main candidates.

Political commentators describe Boris as the most powerful elected Conservative politician in Britain today. As such, he has promised to work “flat out” to repay the confidence of Londoners and to make Greater London “greater still”.

Boris still here!

Despite his massive London commitments, Boris is still (somehow) fitting in his constituency work.  See this week’s Henley Standard where he is reported at two quite different Watlington events: one reopening the Watlington Memorial Club and the other welcoming the new M40 Watlington-London bus route that should ease the daily commute for many.

Rural post offices

Checkendon Post Office and shop is, as reported, safe for the next few years but elsewhere in the constituency the fight continues.  Boris joined Danny Goffey, the drummer of Supergrass, to support the post office at Stanton St John and, at Crowmarsh, he told a crowd of about 200 protesters that they need their Post Office and “I will do everything I can to help you keep it”.   The Post Office consultation period ends on March 17th so do send Boris (or the Post Office) comments and ideas soon if you are in the affected areas.