4 April 2006
London is a great city to live and work in but it can become even better, Tony Blair said in a speech today.
With the help of the Olympics, which arrive in 2012, the aim is to make it the "best city in the world".
The Games can inspire new infrastructure, school and hospital building, new housing and the regeneration of derelict sites, he insisted.
Mr Blair was addressing the Greater London Authority at the publication of Building on Success: London’s Challenge for 2012, a document which highlights the progress the capital has made and the challenges it faces over the next six years.
He said:
"The Olympics is not just a two-week sporting spectacular. This is, in fact, only the last thing it is. We can be more imaginative than that. The Olympics can be a catalyst for the city which will be its host."
London has come a long way in recent years, he added, with improvements in health and education, as well as lower unemployment and crime. It is also the wealthiest major city in Europe.
A new website, Pledgebank London, has also been launched to encourage people to do a good deed for the city. The PM has promised to become the patron of a community sports club.
He also encouraged people to step forward and take part in the organisation of the Olympics. 70,000 volunteers will be needed.
What is Pledgebank London?
It is a website where users pledge to undertake a good deed if they are joined by a certain number of other people. Once the number of pledges reaches the agreed level the pledge then takes place.
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