Boris Johnson

As London goes to the ballot box on May 1 to vote for a new Mayor for the capital, SomethingJewish invited all the candidates to respond to a series of questions on where they stand on general as well as specific issues. Find out what Conservative candidate Boris Johnson said.

Why should Jewish Londoners vote for you?
I have a host of fresh ideas to improve Londoners’ lives, and the energy and determination to get things done. For instance, I will address the epidemic of gang crime by beefing up the police presence on our streets and on the public transport network, arming our police officers with handheld scanners; and we will work to turn young lives around by directing LDA funding to effective community youth groups and mentoring schemes. I offer practical policy solutions to London’s problems, to make a change for the better in London.

What experience do you have or working with Jewish Londoners (either personally or professionally)?
I have attended events held by Jewish Care and the London Jewish Forum and I paid a very interesting visit to the Hatzolah service in Stamford Hill. When I worked at a Kibbutz in the Negev when I was younger, I met lots of young Jewish people from London and I, like I’m sure many people in London do, have both Jewish friends and colleagues.

What do you understand about Jewish life and culture and the contribution Jews have made to London life?
The Jewish community in London contribute in every area of London life. What always impresses me, is the ability of the Jewish community to play a large role in British society and yet keep their distinctness as a community; to have no dilemmas about being proud of being both Jewish and British.  Organisations such as the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Community Security Trust, Jewish Care, Norwood and a whole raft of others embody the true meaning of giving back to your community, with thousands of volunteers giving up time to help the vulnerable and needy both at home and abroad. The number of Jewish children who take part in youth groups with a strong emphasis on social justice and giving back to your community is really heartening and an example for all of London.

If elected mayor what would you do to help promote Jewish culture in London?
I will continue to support events in Trafalgar Square that foster understanding between communities. I support having a Chanukiah in Trafalgar Square alongside the Christmas Tree and am certainly very keen for as many people to get involved in their communities celebrating their culture and using it as a means of pride but also as a tool for interfaith dialogue. 

What will you do to help facilitate better relations between ethnic and religious groups in London?
I think it’s important to recognise the importance of having a shared identity, for everyone to feel like a Londoner and to take pride in being a resident of this great city. It’s great that London is made up of people from so many different cultures and backgrounds and it’s what makes London unique and diverse but problems arise when communities become isolated.

During this campaign, I have visited people from many communities and spoken to them about their concerns and desires.  This has cemented my belief that ALL Londoners – regardless of their race or religion – share similar concerns about poor public transport, rising crime rates, the increasing cost of living and the difficulty of finding a home. Ken Livingstone has become increasingly obsessed with listening to and promoting only his special interest groups.  This has made him a divisive figure who has had his day.  I will mark the start of a new style of Mayor, someone who works with every Londoner instead of governing in their own interests.

What is your position on the conflict in the Middle East between Israelis and Palestinians and how do you think the situation can be resolved?
The ultimate objective in the Middle East is clear: two states, two democracies, living side by side, in peace.  I wholeheartedly support the achievement of this aim but it is not in the remit of the Mayor of London to suggest that he should have a say. I do believe, however, that the only way to move forward is to keep channels of communication open and never cease dialogue.
 
There are calls by some to ban the practice of ritual slaughter of animals used for food. This practice is paramount to both the Jewish and Muslim faiths, what is your position on ritual slaughter of animals for food and do you support those who think it should be banned or those who do not want it banned?
Ritual slaughter is a fundamental matter of religious belief and individuals should be able to practice their religion unfettered by the state unless it adversely impacts upon the rights of others or breaks the laws of the country. 

What steps will you take to ensure that the rising tide of anti-Semitism is curbed?
I take very seriously the recommendations of the All Party Parliamentary Inquiry into Antisemitism and as Mayor, I would look at ways of applying these to the governing of London. Jewish students should be safe on campus, people should be able to stand outside synagogues after services and not fear being attacked and Jewish children should be able to walk to and from school without feeling threatened. I would strongly support the Community Security Trust in the amazing work that they do protecting Jewish Londoners and give as Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority, I would make tackling extremists a priority; whether self-styled preachers or political activists, who spread antisemitism as part of their campaign of hate.  I can also assure you that as Mayor, I would not host visitors who do not share the tolerant values of London. 

Name some Jewish people you admire and respect and tell us why?
I am a huge admirer of Chief Rabbi, Sir Jonathan Sacks. He is a man with such an enormous intellectual capacity who has used his faith to inspire all those who read his work and who hear him speak and is not afraid to challenge perceived absolutes. And having thought about that, I would say that I admire and respect Albert Einstein for very much the same reasons. 

What is your favourite Jewish food and why?
I am partial to a bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon because they’re delicious.