UK:Apocalypse Now? Recession not end of world, says London mayor
31 Dec 2008 11:30 PM
LONDON, Dec 31 AFP - The global recession is not the end of the world, London mayor Boris Johnson said on Wednesday in a New Year message quoting iconic movie Apocalypse Now to make his point.
Johnson, a colourful former journalist who ousted veteran London leader "Red" Ken Livingstone in May, insisted that the British capital would recover and reassert itself as the "greatest city on earth".
"There are those who say we should look ahead to 2009 with foreboding," he said, in a pre-recorded message to be projected on Wednesday evening on the South Bank, ahead of fireworks marking the turn of the year.
"I want to quote Colonel Kilgore in Apocalypse Now when he says 'Someday captain, this war is going to end', and some day, this recession is going to end."
London has been particularly hard hit because of its world-class financial district, reeling from the credit crunch and international banking crisis which precipitated the global slowdown.
But Johnson, a staunch supporter of the City and critic of those who blame the downturn squarely on irresponsible bankers, said London can emerge stronger when recovery comes.
"We can speed the demise of this recession if we all help the poorest in our community and if we make the vital investment ... so that London emerges at the end better placed to compete and entrenched in its position as the greatest city on earth.
"We are going to be working flat out at City Hall to achieve that. Let's go forward into 2009 with enthusiasm and purpose. I wish you a very happy New Year," he said.
