In just four years' time the greatest sporting event in the world will roll into the greatest city in the world and I can't wait for the Games to begin. But for the Olympics and Paralympics to be judged as a truly great event, it must be about more than three weeks of athletics. When the Olympic flame has passed on, London must have changed for the better.

It gives us a tremendous opportunity to regenerate huge parts of London. It is the responsibility of the Mayor to champion this change and ensure that the city is left a legacy that will last a lifetime: affordable homes, improved transport links, world-class sports facilities and new jobs.

Moreover, the Mayor must ensure that any extra costs do not pick the pockets of council taxpayers in London.

My priorities for making sure the Olympic and Paralympic Games will benefit our city will be:

• To fight for a lasting legacy for London; the after-effects of the Olympics must be felt for decades.
  
  
• To stand up for the London council taxpayer to ensure that they don't pay a penny more than they already do to fund the Games.
  
  
• To work with the security services to ensure that London is prepared for and properly protected during the Olympics.