As the man in the capital's hot seat, Ken Livingstone has the unenviable task of tackling two issues that have bugged Londoners for years ,, congestion and poor public transport.

As the man in the capital's hot seat, Ken Livingstone has the unenviable task of tackling two issues that have bugged Londoners for years ,, congestion and poor public transport.

But, as a person who 'loves to make decisions', Red Ken doesn't shirk from responsibility. Moreover, transforming London only realises his smallest ambition. Ken believes he could actually 'save the world', if his plans for congestion charges have the impact he desires.

But for all his enthusiasm, Ken and the GLA have been dogged by the realisation that they lack any real power. Already there are grumblings from the public, as fears are voiced that Ken might not pave the streets with gold in the tradition of his predecessor Dick Whittington.

Speaking exclusively from the GLA headquarters, Ken said he begrudged feeling so powerless.

He said: 'The worst part of being mayor is not having financial freedom f I'm totally dependent on bucking up the Government all the time. I have real powers in the area of transport, but other than that, I have influence over policing, a little bit of money to spend on job creation, and then a platform. Oh, and the fire brigade, a little bit of influence over them.'

For someone billed as the man to make changes, this admission is disconcerting. But it does explain why Ken seems obsessed with public transport and his political baby ,, congestion charges.

TRANSPORT

Ken dismisses concerns that outer London could become a huge car park as drivers leave their cars at tube stations to avoid paying central London's proposed £5 congestion charge.

He said: 'People should stop taking these drugs that unbalance their mental faculties. There's hardly suddenly going to be wall-to-wall cars up and down the street of the outer boroughs.'

Ken believes residents of the outer boroughs will eventually have better access to London as conjestion eases and the number of trains is increased and bus lanes enforced.

The mayor could be accused of holding people's hands behind their backs as he reveals that only when congestion charges are approved and introduced will transport fares decrease.

REPRESENTING OUTER BOROUGHS

While most of Ken's policies appear to be central London-based, he insists his allegiances lie with the whole city. He maintains that inner London issues impact on the greater region.

POLICE

The closure of numerous police stations across London is also of particular concern.

Acknowledging that residents are concerned about such closures, Ken said central Government needed to find a solution ,, and quickly.

He said: 'This is the weakness of my job. If it was up to me, I would increase the council tax to increase police pay to really start recruiting the numbers we need.'

HELPING LONDON

One of Ken's biggest axes is the financial abuse of Londoners, whose taxes are used to pay for services across the UK.

He said: 'In London you need to earn 26 per cent more than the national average to have the same quality of life. London weighting is nowhere near that.

'The Government takes £19billion more out of London than it puts back, so we're massively propping up everywhere else.'

ASK KEN A QUESTION ON TUESDAY AT PEOPLE'S QUESTION TIME

The above are just some of the concerns that Ken expects to be faced with when he and his GLA team face a public grilling on Tuesday at a People's Question Time in Westminster Central Hall.

Londoners have been invited to ask any questions, 'no-holds barred', at the event which will be chaired by newsreader Krishnan Guru-Murthy.

But is it worth residents turning up, and will their concerns be answered?

'Of course it is,' Ken insists. 'We will be on hand to answer the public's questions.

To guarantee a place, readers can book a ticket by telephoning 020 7983 4762/4763 or email peoplesquestions@london.gov.uk. Questions can also be submitted in advance via email.