Is 'unpredictable' Mayor Boris the man for the job? » Local Government » 24dash.com

If there's one thing no-one can accuse Boris Johnson of, it's being predictable.

Despite toning down his "Borisness" during the mayoral election campaign, and appearing to speak more directly, there's no escaping the new mayor's maverick qualities.

Who else could tell butchers in an East End market when asked about the apparent change in his personality: "There is no distinction between the old Boris and the new Boris. They are indivisible, coeternal, consubstantial."

So London knows it's getting long words, a foppish fringe and at times bumbling personality, but how will Boris change the capital?

London has evicted a newt-loving former Labour radical and brought in an old Etonian and Henley MP and journalist - so we can confidently expect the style of the office to be turned on its head overnight.

Likely to be first out the door will be the forays into international politics, and the chumminess with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

Invitations to radical preachers like Yusuf al-Qaradawi are also likely to be in short supply.

There will be many changes to City Hall personnel, as the mayor brings in his new team and lots of Ken-ites have to find new jobs.

One appointment already advertised is that of Bob Diamond, the head of Barclays Bank's investment division, who will set up and run the Mayor's Fund, a charity designed to raise money from the City for children in underprivileged areas.

Mayoral aide Lee Jasper, who faces allegations of sleaze and resigned earlier this year, we can confidently predict will not be returning to City Hall.

The new mayor made crime the central plank of his campaign, with crime on the transport system a particular focus.

To achieve a cut, he will have to work with Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Ian Blair, who the Tories have previously called on to quit.

The mayor's ability to run a successful transport system and improve the Tube, bus, train and cycle networks that Londoners rely on will be what many judge him on.

During the campaign, he promised to "take the thumbs of the RMT off the windpipe of London commuters" and seal a no-strike agreement with unions, but that will be easier said than done.

The bendy bus will be phased out and a new Routemaster brought in. The mayor has also promised not to implement the £25 charge for high polluting vehicles.

On planning, he has a difficult balance to strike. Boris has criticised his predecessor for allowing developments which affected London's skyline, but he will be criticised if he restricts business growth.

Similarly, while he has pledged to increase the amounts of affordable housing, the new mayor also wants to protect green spaces and back gardens from development. It will not always be possible to do both.

So, plenty of questions remain, including how Boris would respond to a crisis in the capital.

Less seriously, how do we refer to the mayor. Mr Johnson? Mayor Johnson? Mayor Boris?