Keeping the Mayor accountable

Q: GLA members have no power to stop the Mayor from doing what he wants.How may that be changed to be more democratic, and the Mayor more accountable?

A: You may know that LibDems opposed the creation of the Mayor and wanted much greater powers for the Assembly. I was a member of the Ludford Commission back in 1997, the group set up by the LibDems to respond to the legislation on setting up the GLA, so I remember it well! It would take primary (Westminster) legislation to change the relative powers of Mayor and Assembly. However, smart and persistent questioning plus effective lobbying can put the Mayor on the spot and get results. I achieved change in my own neighbourhood, getting the Mayor to relocate a major pedestrian crossing on the A1 at the Angel, so it can be done!

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