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Madonna: Red Ken won't get my vote
Last updated at 09:24am on 28.03.08
Madonna: won't be voting for Ken Livingstone
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Pop Queen Madonna has hit out at London's transport network.
The star criticised the congestion charge, the Tube and complained that traffic was worse than ever.
Madonna, 49, often spotted cycling around the capital but also using chauffeur-driven limousines, told Q magazine: "I would make it so that young musicians, aspiring musicians wouldn't have to pay the congestion charge or pay taxes.
"They would be exempt from those kind of things so they would have more money to do other things.
"Will Ken Livingstone get my vote? No. The traffic in London is worse than ever now. All Red Ken wants is roadworks going on everywhere."
She added: "Don't use The Tube; can't use the roads? No. I'll just have to walk I guess."
Madonna has criticised various aspects of UK life since moving to Britain, including lazy builders, officious parking wardens, fuel prices, old-fashioned hospitals and the weather.
Friends of the Earth London campaigner Jenny Bates said of the star's most recent complaint: "The C-charge has reduced congestion and cut carbon dioxide emissions."
A spokesman for the Mayor said: "If we hadn't had the C-charge we would now be in gridlock. The roadworks she refers to are long overdue."
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Reader views (12)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
Southern Hemisphere would be a better standard of living. And what is
life about, pretending because you live in London you are cool. London
lost it 10 years ago!
- Brian Fast, Sydney, Australia
I think the elderly, disabled, servicemen and the medical profession are far more worthier causes than aspiring musicians!
- Julie, Essex
Chris from London - clearly you care what she thinks, as you saw fit to comment. Slagging Madonna for voicing her opinion seems very trendy on this thread, shame no one's got an actual point of view.
Personally I make her right, and with Lying Ken's latest outpouring of blame-dodging (see the "I don't feel responsible" page) I can't think of a single reason to vote for the insipid, odious little man.
- Stuart Dean, Beckton, London
Yes indeed aspiring musicians are such a worthy cause. I think Madonna needs to shut up and stick to what she's best at - preventing the British public's right to ramble.
- Squiz, Islington
As a resident in Kensington & Chelsea, both Mr Bates and the spokesman from TFL clearly live in a parallel universe. Congestion has not improved, indeed it has got a lot worse, particularly along the boundary roads. Gridlock within the zone all too frequent.
- Jeremy E, London UK
Who actually cares what this ragged old has-been actually thinks. If she doesn't like London, why doesn't she go and live somewhere else (preferably southern hemisphere).
- Chris, London
What on earth is the Mayor's office doing issuing a response to Madonna's comments? She's not a politician and certainly hasn't done anything to promote London since moving here, why do her comments warrant any response.
- M, London
Not surprising since her mother-in-law is a leading Tory councillor in Kensington and Chelsea.
- Marian Kearney, London, UK
Correct me if I'm wrong, but unless Madonna is a British or Commonwealth citizen registered to vote here, she isn't eligible, so her opinion really doesn't count!
- Kh, London
Ha all very well poor old Madonna moaning on, what about the rest of us who actually have to get to work on this piece of trash transport system or pay through the nose to drive anywhere?
Could you imagine if her idea for aspiring stars became reality? As if things aren't bad enough with the deluded, talentless nobodies who persist in agonising X-Factor auditions...everyone would be aspiring artists to make the most of this benefit! Ridiculous.
- Kitty, London
Yeah and we all live in Mayfair and can afford to walk to work and to school to pick up the kids ( which dear Mrs R. does not by the way).
- Sandrina, London
Yes those poor hard done by musicians, lets give them everything free. I am only surprised that Ken hasn't already done this as so many people seem to get free travel these days I feel that I am the only person paying.
- Dr Finlays Casebook, London, UK
