John Biggs: Legacy must value everyone

By Jon Massey on September 6, 2012 1:45 PM |

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By John Biggs

The Olympics have, I think, been a spectacular success and, as I write, the Paralympics are underway, with an impressive opening ceremony and hopes of continuing those achievements.

And most of my constituents, while clearly inconvenienced with bursting trains and congested roads, have not seen the catastrophic gridlock some feared.

There has, so far, been a sort of nationwide glow of good feelings about the Games and the way they have presented our country- young, ambitious, tolerant and a good place to be.

I am delighted to echo that. London is a great city, and it is no accident we attract many of the best and brightest from across the world.

But the Games will end and normal business will resume.

This year's school leavers and graduates face uncertainty with the job market.
Take my constituents with a disability, for example, who face a catastrophe when their factory at Barking closes, leaving them with the likelihood of a life on the dole because of the difficulty of finding employers who will take them on.

I think the Olympic and Paralympic, legacy should be one that values everyone. Not all of us are heroes. But to be part of "Team GB", we all need a chance to play our part.

■ John Biggs is London Assembly Member for City and East