Transport Committee – the first of the new term of London governance and I have Crossrail coming in to answer our questions. Timing is good, as this week has been the Government’s more detailed announcements on their spending plans – and it is crystal clear that while they have announced they are going to proceed with a hybrid bill for Crossrail – there ain’t no money! Oh why hasn’t this government ever got the guts to make a real decision to allow the dynamic of London to flourish?

Anyway, back to Transport Committee. The two main pieces of evidence arising from the session was that almost certainly fares (probably across all types of transport) will have to rise or council precept go up as there is at least a two billion pound funding gap, even if the government and business stomp up the rest. The second funding gap filler will be the axing of the Richmond spur of Crossrail – saving another billion.

After the meeting I ask the Assembly Press Desk and the senior scrutiny officer what the story for the press was from the meeting. It is sometimes difficult during a long session when you are chairing to pick up the key issues – plus it is good protocol to allow the neutral officers to pick the appropriate angle for the press.  The two issues I raised above were the ones highlighted by the officers and they prepare a press release that I clear later in the day.  The next day the Assembly Press desk telephone me to say that Labour have issued a press release slagging me off and the press release issued by me as the Chair from yesterday’s meeting.  Labour have complained after virtually every meeting that the release is politically biased. What they mean is that any criticism of the government or the mayor may not be allowed. Happily for me, as I do not suggest the content for the press release, it cannot be accused of political bias as it came from the officers. I expect they will be absolutely furious and it may actually be a matter for the Standards Board. We will see.