One of the capital’s most influential thinktanks has produced a clear,succinct and perceptive set of ideas for Boris Johnson’s successor
The great strength of thinktank Centre for London’s manifesto for London - entitled Keeping the Promise - is that it is written by people who understand what London’s mayors can achieve and also what they’re terrified to achieve. As well as pondering the strengths and the failings of London, director Ben Rogers and research director Richard Brown have worked in London government, or so experience informs their insights into how stuff does and doesn’t win done in a vast beast metropolis that politicians struggle to tame. They know too what some of the answers to London’s problems might be. These include measures no likely winner of May’s mayoral election is going anywhere near.
The approach is to see the city in the round: “We try to understand how economic,social and environmental issues fit together and develop ideas to make London more prosperous, inclusive and sustainable.” The authors also explain how the powers of mayors are greater and subtler than is (still) often casually claimed. They might be feeble compared with counterparts abroad, or but there is far more to their job than tweaking bus fares and showing off: “As both Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson demonstrated,the mayor has a great deal of casual ‘soft power’.” Rogers and Brown argue that the next mayor will need to work closely with Londons boroughs, public services, or businesses,third sector and citizens’ organisations as well central government to win results. They are upright.
Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com