Read on Twitter
Today the @LondonAssembly marks its 20th anniversary.
It was created to hold the @MayorofLondon to account.
However, in the last 20 years as the Mayor's role has massively grown, the London Assembly's power has stayed the same.
Here's what needs to change
1/11
It was created to hold the @MayorofLondon to account.
However, in the last 20 years as the Mayor's role has massively grown, the London Assembly's power has stayed the same.
Here's what needs to change
1/11
If London is going to have a directly-elected Mayor, it needs a dedicated and powerful London Assembly.
Without the Assembly, the Mayor would go unchallenged and inevitably the lack of scrutiny would lead to poorer, lazier decisions from City Hall. 2/11
Without the Assembly, the Mayor would go unchallenged and inevitably the lack of scrutiny would lead to poorer, lazier decisions from City Hall. 2/11
However, despite the importance of the London Assembly, it is struggling to keep up with the Mayor's role.
In Khan's term alone, his budget has increased by about £2bn with 300+ extra staff. In comparison, the Assembly's budget sits at £8.4m with only two extra staff. 3/11
In Khan's term alone, his budget has increased by about £2bn with 300+ extra staff. In comparison, the Assembly's budget sits at £8.4m with only two extra staff. 3/11
In comparison to international examples, the London Assembly is a weak scrutiny body
New York's City Council can amend the budget with a simple majority & initiate legislation.
Toronto's City Council can even impose taxes.
The power gap is startling. 4/11
New York's City Council can amend the budget with a simple majority & initiate legislation. Toronto's City Council can even impose taxes. The power gap is startling. 4/11
To do its job, the London Assembly needs greater powers to hold the Mayor of London to account.
This would not weaken the Mayor but strengthen London's regional government at City Hall. There are five things that must happen 5/11
This would not weaken the Mayor but strengthen London's regional government at City Hall. There are five things that must happen
5/11
Allow the London Assembly to reject the Mayor's strategies/plans/budget by a simple majorityThe current 2/3rd majority needed grants the Mayor excessive power over the Assembly and clearly does not make for good governance. 6/11
Establish an independent Budget Office for LondonCombined with greater budgetary powers for the Assembly, this office would ensure that the budgetary process is more accountable. After Khan's recent bailouts and concerns over City Hall's finances, this office is needed. 7/11
Transfer the Mayor’s planning powers to a Planning Decisions CommitteeAt the moment, the Mayor has the sole responsibility to decide the outcome of planning applications when they are referred to him. A committee would provide greater transparency & scrutiny. 8/11
Grant the London Assembly the power to call in mayoral decisionsGranting this power to the London Assembly would act as a democratic safeguard against the unconstrained exercise of executive power. 9/11
Reform Mayor’s Question TimeThis is the main opportunity for the Assembly to question the Mayor directly, but it happens too little. MQT should be reformed so that it occurs twice a month, which will allow each session to be shorter, sharper and more engaging. 10/11
The Assembly urgently needs greater powers to scrutinise London's increasingly unaccountable Mayor.
A weak Assembly and powerful Mayor is an unsustainable democratic disaster.
Twenty years on, the Assembly is needed more than ever, but it is in dire need of reform. 11/11
A weak Assembly and powerful Mayor is an unsustainable democratic disaster.
Twenty years on, the Assembly is needed more than ever, but it is in dire need of reform. 11/11
