Cameron backs call for extra police in 2008

Jul 7 2007 by Bill Gleeson, Liverpool Daily Post

CONSERVATIVE Party leader David Cameron last night called on the Government to provide extra money for Merseyside Police during Liverpool’s Capital of Culture celebrations next year.

Mr Cameron said that both he and his “shadow cities minister” Chris Grayling would campaign for extra government cash to help the police cope with the visitors expected during 2008.

Merseyside’s Chief Constable, Bernard Hogan Howe and the Merseyside Police Authority have complained that the force hasn’t got the budget to pay for the extra manpower needed to ensure the celebrations pass smoothly.

So far, the Government has refused to grant the additional £10m the force says it needs to fund 200 extra officers.

Speaking during a podcast interview with Daily Post business editor Bill Gleeson, the Conservative leader said: “There is a discussion that should take place between cities and other parts of the country when they have extra policing costs about whether central government has a role in helping them.

“I’m perfectly prepared to take up that case. I’m sure Chris Grayling will be doing that.

“Its a great opportunity City of Culture and Liverpool should get great benefits from it.”

However, Mr Cameron’s proposed intervention was not welcomed by everybody in the city.

Cllr Bill Weightman, chairman of Merseyside Police Authority, said: “While we appreciate Mr Cameron’s good intentions, Merseyside Police Authority is able to conduct its own affairs and make its own arrangements with the Home Office for further meetings to discuss this matter.”

The interview with Mr Cameron can be heard in full at thebusinessweek.co.uk in either video or audio file format.

Mr Cameron also used the interview to confirm his support for elected city mayors.

He said: “I think the great cities of this country would benefit from city mayors.”

Last month, Conservative peer Lord Heseltine published a series of recommendations calling for a wide range of powers to be handed to city mayors in places like Liverpool.

Mr Cameron said: “Michael Heseltine and I launched his paper together. I don’t agree with every detail, but I think city mayors are a good thing.”

“Ask yourself who built Liverpool. Was it built by order from London? Of course not. It was built by the city fathers of Liverpool and it’s that sort of city regeneration, renaissance and city leadership I want to see again.”

Mr Cameron acknowledged that the Conservatives’ position in Merseyside was poor, but he insisted he would work to improve that.

The Conservative leader said: “The situation was dire and we want it to improve. That’s why we set up a Liverpool-wide Conservative association which I addressed last night and a business club which is a great link between the party and business in the area.”

Conservative support for elected mayors was welcomed by local campaigners. Liam Fogarty, who gave up his job as a local radio broadcaster to set up amayorforliverpool campaign, said: “He seems to be taking some of the more radical elements of the Heseltine paper. It is very encouraging.”

Frank McKenna, chairman of local business lobby group Downtown Liverpool in Business, said: “We don’t think the current local council structure gives politicians enough influence over how the city is managed. A city mayor fits in with what the majority of our members want.”

Watch Bill Gleeson's interview with David Cameron - click here