Poor turnout at Tube debate

Only one London Labour MP turned up in the Commons this morning for a timely debate on the future of the Tube.

Harry Cohen, Labour member for Leyton and Wanstead, was a lone voice expressing his concerns from Labour benches over the public-private partnership (PPP) plans for London Underground.

During the 90-minute debate both Tories and Liberal Democrats pointed out how not one of his 54 colleagues had turned up to give him their support over the issue.

The only other Labour MP present was Transport Minister John Spellar, who was present in order to put the case for PPP.

By contrast, there were four Tory London MPs present, and one London Lib-Dem MP. Eric Pickles, Opposition spokesman on transport, said that London's Labour MPs showed "no concern with regard to the future of the Tube when their constituents are crying out for a solution. They complain daily about it, but none can be bothered to turn out to this debate".

London's Labour MPs have found it increasingly difficult to speak out openly over their concerns about PPP, because it damages their prospects for a future ministerial career.

Government whips were furious last autumn when the five

London officers of the London Labour Group, all MPs, wrote a letter expressing their qualms about the scheme. They were forced to make it clear that the letter represented their views, not the views of all the group.

Meanwhile, the capital's Transport Commissioner Bob Kiley said today dramatic improvements in London bus services should be achieved and maintained before congestion charging is introduced. Mr Kiley told the Evening Standard he wants to see the six per cent increase in bus usage recorded this year repeated next year before the charge is imposed.

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