YOUR PRIORITIES - MY PROMISE OF ACTION

You want: a more active GLA group that works all over London; an integrated approach to transport; effective action on crime; close scrutiny of the Olympics; and green, sustainable communities.

The quantity and quality of questions and suggestions I have had from members across London has been very encouraging. Over the last few weeks, I have enjoyed meeting many members and speaking to many more over the phone - and finding out what your priorities are for the GLA group.

The range of issues people have talked to me about has been impressive and selecting a limited number of priorities is difficult. But these are the 5 areas that Lib Dem members have raised issues about most consistently across the capital.

You have told me that you want:

• A more active GLA group that works all over London

Representation for North London and for boroughs that do not currently have Lib Dems elected locally is clearly needed. It is essential that the GLA group focus on building support in areas where we have not traditionally won elections. We can do this by working closely together with local teams on campaigns of real relevance to local residents.

As a GLA member, I will use my campaigns experience from Haringey, where we have gone from no council representation before 1998 to 27 councillors now (as well as winning a parliamentary seat). I know how to motivate teams - by getting things done. I will be visible and active on the ground in boroughs across London, supporting councillors and future councillors in their campaigns and press activity.

• An integrated approach to transport

It was no surprise that transport issues featured highly. You want cycling to be an easy and enjoyable activity - including better provision of cycle and motorbike parking. You want reliable and fairly priced public transport, which is a necessity for us to reap the full environmental benefits of the congestion charge, and better transport provision across outer London as well as into Zone 1.

As a GLA member I will make integrated transport a priority of my work. We need to ensure that all boroughs work together to make links between public transport and cycling & walking work. The key consideration in transport planning has to be the environment - reducing car use is important and that is achieved by making public transport work either for all or part of people's normal car journeys, but not solely taxing people out of their cars with no viable alternative.

• Effective action on crime

Anti-social behaviour, knives and hate crime were the biggest issues raised on crime. You told me that you enjoy living in London and want to make it a safer place for everyone to enjoy. Our city is a collection of diverse communities and although for the most part we all get along well, a lack of action on homophobia and religious hatred was identified.

As a GLA member, I will work with established groups to campaign to reduce hate crime. I will also look at anti-social behaviour from the root and helping local Lib Dems address that problem in a way that is suitable to each specific set of circumstances. I would like to explore the possibility of Community Justice Panels as being pioneered in Somerset.

• Close scrutiny of the Olympics

A lot of people are worried about the cost of the Olympics and Paralympics. But it is encouraging to see that Lib Dems are positive about the opportunities that staging the games bring us. Concerns are based mostly around costs and doubts that the full potential of what is a massive regeneration scheme will not be realised.

As a GLA member, I will provide very close scrutiny to the Mayor on all issues, including this one. We need to ensure that we are not left with a legacy of debt and disused buildings, the regeneration opportunities have to be fully exploited - to help provide tangible benefits to Londoners long after the final race has finished. These benefits must include training for jobs, sporting facilities for schools and local residents and a better integrated transport system.

• Green, sustainable communities

We all know that the environment is a key priority for Lib Dems. London has a hugely important role to play in this - both because of the sheer number of people here and the potential for small changes making a big difference. Renewable energy, reducing packaging, recycling and transport were just some of the green issues raised with me.

As a GLA member, I will be promoting green, sustainable communities. We must reduce the need to travel by providing amenities close to home - that means both in existing communities and, crucially, in planning any new developments. We should be offering incentives for people who install renewable energy sources at home and pushing for business to recycle more, to name just two areas that we can campaign on as a GLA group.

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Of course, this list is not exhaustive and I have carefully read all your suggestions. If you have any other ideas that you feel the GLA group can campaign on, please let me know.