Lib Dem report slams 5 years of New Year celebration failures

12.00.00am GMT Fri 19th Nov 2004

With just six weeks to go before 2005, the London Assembly Liberal Democrats today published a new report into the five years of failure by Ken Livingstone to sort out New Year's Eve celebrations for Londoners.

The report, Party Pooper, highlights the failure of the Mayor to publicise events for this year; the inability to organise a single New Year event for Londoners in the last five years and looks at the success of other cities celebrations across the world for tourists, TV and residents.

The Lib Dem report has put forward a series of recommendations including:

· The introduction of a ticketed party for Trafalgar Square

· Advertising the main events for London at least six months in advance

· At least 18 months planning to get celebrations that are fit for the capital

Liberal Democrat Culture Spokesperson, Dee Doocey, said:-

"Every year we have the same old story of Londoners money spent on celebrations they cannot take part in. To fail to organise one New Year celebration is excusable but to be unable to arrange and event for Londoners by the fifth attempt is staggering.

"Mr Livingstone seems to want to hold a secret New Year party for London which none of us are invited to. There has been no advertising, no publicity and no promotion. Almost every other major city in the Western World has managed to plan and deliver celebrations months in advance, that both their communities and the people watching on TV can enjoy, so why can't London?

"It is time that Mr Livingstone looked at putting on a ticketed event for London in Trafalgar Square so that revellers have the chance to enjoy the party safely and in spectacular style.

"The Mayor must give Londoners a proper knees up next year, otherwise the capital could yet again be left with celebrations for TV and commiserations for Londoners."