Whitehall, the GLA and the Boroughs: what works and what

doesn’t Tony Travers

LSE

The post-2000 London government system

• Restoration of London-wide democratic government

• Local accountability for city-wide transport, economic development, planning, fire and (to some extent) police

• Elected mayor: a major experiment• A model designed to encourage co-

operation between Mayor and Assembly

2005 – the results

• Post-2000 arrangements broadly accepted• no ‘abolitionist’ party/movement

• The office of Mayor has not proved a failure• no public resistance to office

• some might even argue ‘a success’

• The Assembly has proved more difficult to achieve effectiveness

• Boroughs have, with memorable exceptions, accommodated the Mayor

Central government

• Different degrees of willingness to cede powers to GLA

• ODPM/Downing St were in favour of greater powers• Transport broadly supportive• Home Office less enthusiastic

• GOL has continued to operate, with no diminution of role, size

• some concern…

• Growing support since 2000 as system has matured

Within the GLA - 1

• Mayor/Mayor’s office• development of powerful Mayor’s Office

– different from (bigger) than 2+10 core envisaged

• hub of political power– decisions transmitted directly to commissioners, staff

– need for formally-appointed Deputy Mayors?

• awkwardness of Assembly appointments– Need to give Mayor power to appoint staff

• different pattern of appointments to TfL and LDA compared with MPA and LFEPA

– need for mayoral accountability for all?

Within the GLA - 2

• The Assembly• key power is annual scrutiny of budget

– effectively undertaken– 2/3 alternative budget requirement very high

• scrutiny role has proved more difficult• size of Assembly (25) has consequences

– very small party groups– excessive informality

• confusion of positions on MPA, LFEPA• need for ‘legislative’ power over Mayoral policy?

The Boroughs

• Now among Britain’s longest-established political institutions

• Some awkward relationships with the Mayor

• also some service overlaps

• Debate about number of boroughs• Mayor’s views

• other indications (NHS, sub-regional institutions)

The 2005-06 Review

• More important/extensive than expected• Opportunity to establish a more autonomous

system of sub-central government in London• Significant consensus about possible change• Lessons for the rest of England• Purpose must be better government…

Whitehall, the GLA and the Boroughs: what works and what

doesn’t Tony Travers

LSE