The two groups challenging City of London status quo

 
21 March 2013
WEST END FINAL

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Today’s elections to the City of London’s Court of Common Council – accountable for streets and public services in the Square Mile, schools, housing estates and open spaces further afield and representing the City’s financial and business interests on the national and global stage - have been billed as the most eagerly contested “in living memory”.

Two groupings have emerged to mount a radical challenge to the status quo of an institution that prides itself on its independence from party politics.

In the red corner the City Reform Group, set up in the wake of the Occupy movement, unites those demanding greater transparency from the Corporation and an overhaul of the financial sector around seven pledges.

At the other end of the spectrum, a group associated with libertarian Conservative organisation the Young Britons' Foundation has affronted traditionalists with stirring Eurosceptic and pro-banker rhetoric and a campaign apparently targeting long-serving worthies.

Don’t get overexcited, say old hands – we’ve seen challenges from reformists, controversialists and careerists before. But with the City under the spotlight over the EU cap on bonuses, fears for London’s competitiveness and openness to foreign talent and calls for transparency over business tax affairs, the issues raised by these candidates could not be more topical. Whatever the result tonight, the questions being asked of the City and the expectations for it to deliver are not going to go away.

City Reform Group

Formed: last year at Halal restaurant in Alie Street, Aldgate. Chair William Taylor has previously served as a common councillor

Candidates: 21 taking the CRG pledge

Policies: seven pledges including to "promote commerce within the City on the basis of its ability to serve its customers" and to "recognise our responsibility to the common good"

They say: “When Libor and the PPI scandals broke out, where was the Lord Mayor? When Goldmans described its customers as muppets, where was the Lord Mayor saying we repudiate that? Since 2008 we have been aware of how supine governments have been toward the City. A lot of common councillors never got into the job to challenge the Lord Mayor – they treat it a bit like the Rotary Club” (scriptwriter and former Clapham councillor Jonathan Myerson)

“In the work I do, what comes up all the time is the issue of trust. There is so much the City can do, setting the highest standards… If we don’t do something the next crash will happen”. (academic, thinktanker and former Goldmans banker Hari Mann)

Critics say: “William Taylor never understood the Corporation when he was a member, he never made a contribution on committee and he seemed to obsess about City cash” (Rev Martin Dudley)

Election chances: oranges and lemons, say the bells of St Clements

Young Britons' Foundation

Formed: Young Britons' Foundation members have served on common council since 2009. Group formed this time because it was cheaper to do election literature in bulk to keep to tight campaign spending limits, claims candidate André Walker

Candidates: a core of three previously elected candidates but a total of over 20 now working together, according to a YBF stalwart.

Policies: “Being more active in our wards, stiffening the spine [of the City] on Europe and standing up for bankers and high earners,” says the YBF’s Alex Deane. But there is a diversity of views, SOAS graduate and freelance journalist Donata Huggins points out

They say: “Brazil is no longer a country we invest in, it’s a country that invests in us. The last thing we need is to put up an ill-judged barrier. Anyone with talent, drive and determination should be welcome in the City” (27-year-old Bell Pottinger director of European Affairs Daniel Hamilton)

“We’ve been active since Christmas… What have we got in return? Background briefings, hatred and attacks on two young women I am running with. Hanging around for years should not be confused with experience” (André Walker at the Ward of Cheap hustings yesterday)

Critics say: “With some of their tactics, frankly they should be ashamed of themselves” (senior common council member)

Election chances: new Dick Whittingtons may yet find the streets paved with gold

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