By Richard Laming
Published in The Independent, 1 February 2008
Sir, Steve Richards is correct to say that London needs a more powerful government to promote the interests of Londoners, but he is wrong to think that London needs a more powerful mayor (Opinion, 24 January). The power of the mayor has already outstripped his accountability: let’s not make the accountability deficit worse. More powers for London should be accompanied by a stronger elected London Assembly, so that Londoners can have an effective political voice more frequently than in the election every four years.
Richard Laming, Director, Federal Union, London SE1