Mayor Culpa

So it appears (according to Peter Riddell) that Blair's great desire to restore accountability to local government (remember the glory that was the 1999 Modernising Local Government White Paper??) which resulted in Ken Pigeon Hater, Robocop and H'Angus the monkey restoring sanity to Peter Mandleson's beloved Hartlepool is hated by HM Treasury and therefore another one victory for the Brown wreckers.

So far, with the exception of Ken Livingstone in London, only 12 elected majors have been approved out of 32 referendums held throughout the country, but they have proved to be popular. Nine of the eleven mayors who have so far sought reelection have succeeded, including four independents.

Mr Blair sought to revive the idea after the 2005 election, but the Treasury has never been enthusiastic and last autumn’s White Paper was distinctly cool. Mr Blair, however, remains optimistic.

Which does invite the question as to how exactly do they self express enthusiasm at the end of Horseguard's road?

A difficulty of local government has been the perception that it is the province of weirdo busybody jobsworths put up by national parties. Restoring personal accountability for leadership has given us fun and the chance to indulge in chapeau munching the size of London.


Cameron is right to be heading down this path of liberation from fear and complacency which is local government administration. Long live the people's republic of Tooting indeed!

Great post on the soap opera and sheer downright fun that was the 1999 London mayoral election .