The Mayor`s Advisory Committe on London`s Markets

This very necessary and vital committee could be doing a great deal for London`s ailing markts; but all they seem to want to do is 1) go over terrain such as rogue trading which actually is within the remit of the local markets and councils and 2) invade the private sector by way of promoting the markets themselves. Never mind that those of us who have been doing this singlehandedly are accused of self-promotion when we ask for a grant or some funding.

Actually, the whole thing got off to a bad start when the Chairperson apologised for having booked the meeting for 1:30pm (when most of the traders were hard at work and could not take time off) Still....

The real issue, and stumbling block I might add, is that by way of the Markets Act 1994, borough councils are legally entitled to privatise. And it is this privatization which is eroding the working-class character of the markets; upping the prices; and doing street traders out of their livelihoods in the bargain.

It is this Markets Act 1994 which the Mayor himself must override. And we`ll see what Ken Livingstone is made of when we see what exactly he does by way of quoshing the act.

It is only then that the markets will receive a new lease of life and perhaps, and I say perhaps, can make a happier bed with the councils who seem determined to end them altogether.