MAYOR LOOKS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

By Parastou Alizadeh

The Mayor of Harrow has come to Westminster University to find out “what goes on behind the closed doors”.

“If I were not mayor, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to take this tour. Councillors should have a look around so when we sit around the table we know what we are actually discussing.”

The mayor was interested in funding. At the computer centre he was told that one of the machines cost £7,000.

He said to Professor Brian Winston, head of the school of Communication and Creative Industries: “The costs are frightening,” and asked: “How do you budget for things?”

The Professor replied: “It pays off in time and we have started repaying our loans.”

The mayor, who is not university educated, later said: “My view is that there should not be so much money going into education, education, education but housing for nurses and teachers.”

“And students,” added his deputy.

At the film centre the Mayor laughed when he saw a male media student on film with eyeliner and a ring through his lip saying: “I want to be Tony Blair.”

Mayor Currie was elected after only three years as a councillor but it usually takes between 15 and 18 years.

He said he would have liked to have spoken to students without university bosses present.

He added: “It has been a marvellous, eye opening experience. I didn’t realise so much went on.”