ABSTRACT
In addition to the government’s firm commitment to devolution to Scotland and Wales, and the future consideration of devolution to the English regions, the government intended to introduce an elected ‘strategic authority’ for London. As noted below, the Greater London Council (GLC), which formerly represented a centralising focus for the capital city, was abolished in 1985. Many of the GLC’s functions reverted to the individual London councils. London was unique in being a capital city without an elected Mayor and centralised area government. This perceived deficiency has been redressed. The government’s White Paper, A Mayor and Assembly for London, proposed an elected Mayor and 25 seat Greater London Authority. The Authority does not have direct tax raising powers, but revenue will be raised from road tolls and parking fees. In addition, the Authority is funded by central government. A referendum held in the spring of 1998 established popular support for the proposal.90 The Greater London Authority Act 1999 regulates the Authority.
