Islington has had its dreams of being crowned the best London borough dashed by Lewisham in the “World Cup” of London Boroughs semi-final.
The “World Cup” of London Boroughs is a Twitter contest run by Hugo Marrow, @theorangeone, a maths graduate from Imperial College London. The contest has involved thousands of people so far and has even got local councillors starting up Twitter wars in a bid to further their “World Cup” ambitions. Joe Caluori, councillor for Mildmay, tweeted: “Come on! Lewisham isn’t even a real place. It’s a municipal invention. Also, who didn’t oppose the amalgamation of Deptford Docks from Greenwich in 1996? Madness. #Lewishambles”.
Come on! Lewisham isn’t even a real place. It’s a municipal invention. Also, Who didn’t oppose the amalgamation of Deptford Docks from Greenwich in 1996? Madness. #Lewishambles @Zone1Bracket https://t.co/mmJU7ZQtxb
— Joe Caluori (@Croslandite) March 19, 2018
Mr Marrow told Islington Now: “We’ve had several MPs promoting their areas (the most high profile of which is surely Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry). A number of journalists too and who can forget Tony Robinson (Blackadder’s Baldrick)”.
Richard Watts, leader of Islington Council, claimed a moral victory on hearing the news that Islington had lost out to Lewisham in the semi-final. Nick Wayne, councillor for Canonbury, tweeted: “Does getting into the top 4 mean we qualify for the Champions League of European Boroughs?” In response to the final vote count for the Islington v Lewisham play off, Andy Hull, councillor for Highbury West, tweeted: “Why do all the most important votes go wrong by 52% to 48%?!?”
Why do all the most important votes go wrong by 52% to 48%?!? https://t.co/yHHghNQ15N
— Andy Hull (@AndyHull79) March 20, 2018
Mr Marrow is a dab hand at organising Twitter world cups, having run the Zone 1 Tube Stations World Cup at the end of last year. Talking about his inspiration for the “World Cup” of London Boroughs he said: “I guess it all started with Richard Osman’s World Cup of Biscuits in March last year.”
Lewisham, the semi-final victors, are set to play Lambeth in the final which will be featured live on BBC Radio London this evening. Hugo Marrow told Islington Now: “People do have pride in where they live, and it’s good to inspire that in people- even if only for the sake of a Twitter poll.” There is still hope for Islington to medal in the top three in a third place playoff against Greenwich.
Commenting on Islington’s journey to the semi-final,Mr Marrow said: “As for Islington getting this far, part of it is surely Ealing’s surprise defeat of Westminster in the second round, but it’s always been a strong contender.” Islington’s loss to Lewisham means that North London will go unrepresented in the final stage. North London voters will not have a clear borough to get behind as South London contests its civil war.
Although Mr Marrow is considering taking a short break from running Twitter world cups after this one, he admitted “I say this every time and it never happens. I just enjoy it too much I suppose.” British cities and musical instruments might be on the cards but he is eager to let the people decide what competition they want next by putting it to a poll.
