George Osborne today lashed out at the “really depressing” threat by Ed Balls to cancel London’s unique Garden Bridge plan.
The Chancellor accused his Labour shadow of trying to “pull the plug” on a project that would impress the world and bring more tourists flocking to spend their money in the capital.
His intervention put the “Battle of the Bridge” firmly at the centre of the general election in London.
Yesterday the Standard revealed that Mr Balls said Labour would review funding for the £175 million attraction. In an exclusive interview today, Mr Osborne said: “I think it is really depressing.
“Here we have an iconic piece of British design by one of the greatest designers in the world, Thomas Heatherwick, which I think will attract more revenue to London as more tourists come to London ... and we have Ed Balls pulling the plug on it.”
He claimed more big infrastructure projects in the capital would be in danger of cancellation by Mr Balls if a Labour government had to negotiate with the Scottish National Party. “London will not get a look-in,” he added.
Mr Balls said yesterday that he would re-examine whether the Treasury’s £30 million contribution to the bridge scheme was good value for money, adding: “The kind of numbers that are being spoken about at the moment are very big indeed.”
Bee Emmott, executive director of the Garden Bridge Trust, said: “We fully understand that with the contribution of public money there needs to be a clear demonstration that these funds are well spent.
“When it is built, the bridge will be free and open to all. More than £125 million has already been pledged, which includes donations from individuals, charitable foundations and companies. This will all go towards securing benefits for London and the wider economy.”
In the interview, the Chancellor also claimed that Labour regarded Londoners earning £35,000 to £40,000 as “rich” and insisted: “In London they are not rich.”
He revealed he wanted to stay at the Treasury if the Conservatives win a second term, saying: “I want to finish the job.” And he said he was “in lockstep” with Mayor Boris Johnson.
Mr Osborne criticised Ed Miliband’s interview with Russell Brand, saying: “That is not the behaviour, frankly, of a prime minister in waiting.”
