London won the Olympics 2012. I was delighted. WOW!

But the plans for this and sponsorship make it clear that this won’t really be the London we all know and love Olympics but some emasculated parody of London.

The Olympic Delivery Authority is now asking London councils to impose draconian parking fines during the London Olympic 2012 games across London. So far Greenwich council is suggesting £500-£1000 parking fines and so far Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets support higher parking fines with most London councils yet to respond. I just think this sets the wrong tone.

I hope London Lib Dems will be holding out to minimise not maximise the disruption to London and Londoners.

The proposal for draconian parking penalties, wheel clamping, much more removal of vehicles, storage charges and disposal of vehicles fees should be an anathema to us all.

Londoners should not be cowed by the threat of heavy Olympic fines. London households are already hugely subsidising the games.

So no, we should not accept these increased charges. Frankly we should be telling the ODA to spend more time making the Olympics  friendly to London and Londoners generating sufficient good will so Londoners want to help make it happen. I really fear a nasty Olympic backlash and these proposals make that more likely.