On Thursday (24th June) Londoners will have the chance to question Mayor of London Boris Johnson and senior officials at this year’s State of London debate.
The annual event, which is a legal requirement under the 1999 Greater London Authority Act, ensures the Mayor remains accountable to Londoners by updating them on his progress and priorities.
Last week the Mayor published his Annual ‘State of London’ Report setting out what he sees as the achievements of his administration and his policies for the next two years.
However there have been complaints, including privately from within parties represented on the London Assembly, that the event has been scaled down for the second time in Johnson’s tenure as Mayor.
In previous years the State of London debate took place across a whole weekend at the weekend day. After taking office in 2008 Johnson reduced the event to a single evening event focused on youth crime and safety. Last year’s event reverted to the previous format, however this year’s debate again take places on a single evening and starts at 6pm when many Londoners will be travelling home from work.
The 2010 State of London Debate is being chaired by Nick Ferrari with Londoners able to submit questions via City Hall’s twitter account @mayoroflondon and via the london.gov.uk website.
SESSIONS
Main Chamber – question the Mayor of London on his annual report
Discussion Room 1 – question the Mayors advisors on Economy & Policing
Discussion Room 2 – question the Mayors advisors on Environment & Transport