1:26pm Wednesday 4th December 2002
By Jo Parkes
MP Richard Ottaway has announced he is running for London Mayor, and was last week one of the first members of Parliament to use a multimedia broadcast on his website.
The MP for Croydon South launched his campaign to become the Conservative Party mayoral nominee last Thursday (November 28), putting at the top of his list of things to do, a repeal of congestion charging, a better deal for motorists, and a commitment to bringing the Olympic Games to London in 2012.
He told a press conference: "Quality of life can be changed by the Mayor. Today I look at a city whose roads are in chaos, with travel times increasing, that has unacceptable crime rates and dithers about making a bid for the Olympic Games."
He added: "I know I could do better."
When considering running in October, Mr Ottaway told the Guardian he believed Ken Livingstone's congestion charges would be unpopular and unworkable, and that London's election results were a hint that the next Mayor could be a Tory.
He does not see any conflict between his Croydon South constituency duties and the mayoral hot-seat. He said: "What's good for London is good for Croydon."
Party members will decide on their nomination in the new year.
Meanwhile, Mr Ottaway's virtual self is busy leading the way in parliamentary communications, via his website www.richardottaway.com.
The ten minute webcast features excerpts from an interview with Radio 4's PM presenter Linda Lewis questioning the MP on his top concerns for Croydon.
He talks about his constituency role as a Croydon MP, and several other key issues including Coulsdon Relief Road and warns that congestion charging could be rolled out to Croydon.
Ms Lewis told the Guardian how only around half of MPs have websites, and only a handful have used them for broadcasts.
She said: "It demonstrates that he's responsive to new ways of communicating and making the most of new technology.
"It's encouraging that MPs are starting to take advantage of the technology available, and reach out to voters who have got rather disillusioned with politics, especially young people."
She added: "A webcast demonstrates a commitment to communication and I think also it demonstrates a willingness to present a human face."
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