(posted 7093 days ago)South London Press
'Party pooper' Mayor told to lighten up
Nov 23 2004
By Vicky WilksKEN Livingstone has been branded a "party pooper" as his plans for New Year celebrations come under attack.
The London Mayor has a £1million budget, but will offer just a short fireworks display at the London Eye.
The plans have been criticised by Liberal Democrats as being for television cameras rather than the people of London. The party has also criticised him for failing to publicise any events.
A spokesman for the Liberal Democrat London Assembly group said: "Last year, it was not safe for people to go to the Eye so they erected screens in Trafalgar Square.
"The money is going to be used to do the same firework display again this year - that's not really for Londoners, it's for the telly. Why not have a party for Londoners? We have Trafalgar Square which has now been pedestrianised and is a world-class venue as Ken Livingstone keeps pointing out."
The spokesman added other cities such as Edinburgh, Sydney and New York held street parties.
Mr Livingstone responded: "London will celebrate New Year's Eve with a spectacular firework display, visible from all over London and with 150,000 Londoners able to view directly in the vicinity of the London Eye."
In South London there has been little mention of Christmas celebrations so far.
A Lambeth council spokeswoman said there was no Christmas event confirmed for Brixton, while only Streatham has so far been lit up. Its lights were switched on by Mayor Irene Kimm on Saturday.
The council spokeswoman said England cricketer Graham Thorpe was due to switch on Clapham's lights at Lavender Bar and Restaurant, Clapham Road, at 6pm on Thursday.
Actress Maureen Lipman will flick the switch in Waterloo at Cubana Bar and Restaurant, Lower Marsh, at 6pm on December 1.
In Kennington, there will be a day of festive fun at St Anselm's Church, Kennington Road, on Wednesday, December 8.
In Southwark, a Frost Fair is planned alongside Bankside between noon and 10pm, on Friday, December 17.
There will also be a Flavas Festival in Peckham Square between December 3 and 5.