London Latest -- Jowell Says Labour Can Boast About Olympics

(ATR) London 2012 Olympics Minister tells Around the Rings that the Labour government heads into the May 6 national election with a positive record on preparations for the Games.

"The Labour Government is immensely proud of the ambition and achievement of our Olympic plans. The construction project is on budget and on time, thanks to the combined action of government and the public body the Olympic Delivery Authority," Tessa Jowell tells Around the Rings.

She and her colleagues in the government of Gordon Brown will be tested May 6, the date of the national election called this week by Brown. The vote will be a first for Labour under Brown, who succeeded Tony Blair in 2007, after the last national election had already returned Blair-led Labour to power for a third time.

Jowell says Labour has guided the preparations for the Games with care and prudence.

"Nineteen government departments are engaged in delivering the Games. The complexity and scale of an Olympic Games requires the integral involvement of government at every stage and every level. The insistence on a 60 percent contingency to support the construction project has been vital in minimizing the impact of the global recession. It is the Government that has led the development of the security plan and also ensuring nationwide engagement and clear legacy ambition," Jowell says.

Despite its record on the Olympics, a sour economy, expense scandals involving parliament and other issues make Labour an underdog to the Conservatives led by David Cameron. But there is a possibilitythat Cameron and the Tories won’t win enough seats May 6 to form a new government, setting the stage for a coalition government with Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

Jowell, Olympics Minister since 2007, has been the government’s point person for London 2012 since the bid was launched. She calls herself a "pioneer" of the London Olympics.

"It’s been an extraordinary privilege to be one of the longest serving pioneers of London 2012, involved now for eight years in this great project," she says.

Her continued tenure depends on Labour forming a new government as well as Jowell winning reelection from her south London constituency. Her seat, as well as those held by other top members of the Brown government, will be facing stiff challenges by the Tories.

Should the Conservatives form the new government, shadow Olympics minister Hugh Roberston is in line to take over the portfolio.

Robertson told Around the Rings that a Tory government would work to ensure a sport legacy remains from the Olympics.

Jowell says legacy has been part of planning for London from the start.

"The London Olympics will be the first legacy Games, where the legacy ambitions formed the rationale for the bid and have been the guiding vision at every stage.

"By 2012 we will ensure a world class sports system - from elite sport to grass roots - and every child will have the opportunity to do a least 5 hours of sport per week," she tells ATR.

Written by Ed Hula.