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Tube is dreadful and I like taking holidays in Italy, says tourism minister
Joe Murphy, Political Editor03.09.08
Tourism Minister Margaret Hodge came under fire today after calling Tube travel "dreadful" and British hotels expensive and poor quality.
The minister, whose job includes promoting the capital to foreign tourists, was accused of undermining the industry when she also confirmed she liked to holiday abroad, especially Italy.
Asked if she used the Tube often, she replied: "I don't do the rush hour. I used to and it was dreadful."
The Barking MP told Which? Holiday magazine that the Tube was "clean and modern, compared to some of the Paris Metro" but said double-deck trains were needed to cope with " overcrowding here".
The minister said she only occasionally holidays in the UK - and claimed she liked to stay in modest bedandbreakfast accommodation.
"Mostly we see friends, but I think there is nothing better than a good B&B. It's nice going into a family's home where you can get a right good breakfast."
She admitted she likes taking holidays abroad, adding: "I like to visit Italy."
On British hotels, she sided with critics who say they cost too much: "I agree that hotels are expensive and I worry about the quality - only half of UK hotel accommodation is kite-marked and has the quality motif [the star rating system set up by VisitBritain and the AA].
"Tourists need to be offered good deals and we have to make attractions better." Stonehenge's facilities "don't befit a World Heritage site", she added
Tory MP Mike Penning said: "What a stupid set of remarks. My constituents have no choice but to travel on the London Underground to work and back and Mrs Hodge ought to be instead asking why eight years of a Labour mayor failed to improve the Underground enough for her to use it.
"Her job is to promote our tourism industry and wonderful places to stay and see - but these silly remarks will drive tourists to other destinations."
Reader views (6)
What she said was absolutely correct - but as a politician (particularly in her official position) she should have been more circumspect or kept quiet altogether. But, British accommodation is expensive and eating out largely over-priced, particularly in London and other metropolitan centres unless it can be recouped as a legitimate business expense. Perhaps the economic downturn will make some establishments consider reducing their prices (although with punitive rises on fuel and food costs,this now seems unlikely and £100+ for two for a meal in a good restaurant (probably without wine)is likely to remain the norm these days in the capital. If we are to attract tourists to our increasingly rain-sodden island, those promoting our potential need to be a lot more positive and choose their words with greater care when giving media interviews. Surely that is one of the earliest lessons that every politician is expected to learn?
- Clive Burton, London, England
Mrs Hodge has come out with some right nonsense in her time (remember the proms concerts being offensive, or whatever it was) but for once she is right. The tube is dreadful. Bangkok's public transport makes the UK look third world.
- John, Bangkok, Thailand
Commuter trains in Sydney are double deckers. The major problem with them is that it takes so long to load & unload passengers at stations, as the doors are at the ends of the carriages. The new commuter trains being built (it's a labour government so obviously they are over budget & late)are all single deckers.
- Mark Tebbs, Sydney
Margaret Hodge - known as 'Enver' Hodge during her time in Islington Council, is a continuing stain on the unholy face of Nu-Labour. She is the woman who shredded files and impeded police investigations into paedophiles operating in the Islington Children's home when she was Council Leader. Despite a judge hauling her into court to explain herself, Mr whiter-than-white, the retired multi-millionaire Blair promoted her to Minister for Children! That she remains a minister, with the attendant exorbitant salary and perks while being a millionaires in her own right, after being such a abhorrent failure is testament to the moral vacuum at the heart of this rotten Government.
- 45govt, Barbados
Nu Labor go away!
- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London
Maybe if Margaret Hodge stopped taking taxis at our expense and travelled by public transport instead, the government would have a little more money to spend on improving the tube.
- Liz, London
