Mayor Votes Paris over London for 2012

Mayor of Bedford Borough Frank Branston has given a startling vote of no confidence to the London 2012 Olympics, despite heading the body charged with maximising the potential benefits the games can bring to the local area.

At the Young People's Question Time event at Dame Alice Harpur School on Thursday, Mayor Branston declared he felt it would have been better if Paris had won the Games. The Mayor's comment is particularly controversial in light of his role as Chair of BOOST (Bedfordshire Olympic Opportunities Support Team), the group set up to help the local area achieve maximum benefit from London 2012.

Commenting on the issue, Liberal Democrat Group Deputy Leader Cllr Christine McHugh said:

"One of BOOST's overarching objectives is to "inspire young people," and for the Mayor to deliver such a negative message in front of an audience of young people is astonishing. Although hosting the Olympics must not be a blank cheque and costs musts be contained, the hosting of the Olympic Games in London presents a wealth of opportunities to this area and it is very regrettable that the Mayor isn't being positive and promoting the benefits for our borough, the county and the region.

"This area could benefit in a variety of ways from the Olympics, including through increased tourism and economic regeneration, especially if we were to host a national team and provide an official Olympic training facility. These benefits will not simply fall into our lap, however, and are hotly contested by towns and cities across the country. Our cause will not be helped by the Mayor's lack of enthusiasm for the games. This has unfortunately sent out a deeply unhelpful message but I hope it can be overlooked by international teams seeking a base before the games and to the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, who are responsible for administering the contracts associated with the preparation and delivery of the event."