City Hall Spy: Boris hoping he can bank on new governor Carney

 
2 August 2013

Word reaches Spy that Boris Johnson has wasted no time getting pally with Mark Carney, the new Bank of England Governor.

The pair got together yesterday afternoon for talks on the economy. City Hall aides said the Mayor “cemented” his relationship with the Canadian central banker, who he first met during an hour-long meeting at the Swiss ski resort of Davos.

They swapped views on London’s role in the UK economy, the Mayor’s bid for more financial powers, and the crucial issue of the London housing market.

With property prices soaring, Boris will be hoping that Carney does everything within his power to keep house-price inflation under control.

Expect the Mayor to launch a full-scale charm offensive.

JUST like the Cambridges, Lib-Dem Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon and husband Paul have taken their time naming their son, born last week. Spy can reveal they have settled on Henry George Albert. Henry George was the founder of land value taxation but Spy is assured that neither the 19th century US economist nor the future king provided inspiration.

ANOTHER week of speculation on Boris’s leadership hopes. But when pressed about whether he had ruled out running in 2015, the Mayor replied: “I have absolutely ruled IN continuing my job as Mayor.” Boris, who has almost three years to go, then said: “I categorically, emphatically, irrefutably, undeniably and in every other way, rule in a further three years as Mayor ... sorry, two.” A slip of the tongue?

SPY hears that the audience at the Oxford Arms comedy gig in Camden on Tuesday were taken aback to see the Mayor among their number for a show called Elf Lyons is a Pervert. But they didn’t have to look any further than the proud gent sitting next to him for an explanation. For he was Gerard Lyons, the Mayor’s chief economic adviser, as well as father of Emily-Anne (Elf) who was making her solo comedy debut.

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