BBC Parliament Channel airs Mayor’s State of London Debate for first time

In a first for City Hall, those who missed the annual State of London Debate can watch the event today on the BBC Parliament Channel from 10.50am.

Following on from the publication of the Mayor’s Annual Report, which sets out his priorities for the next two years, the State of London Debate takes place each year, giving Londoners the chance to question the Mayor on how the capital is being run and quiz his successes to-date.

The debate, which took place on Thursday night at City Hall from 6-830pm, was webcast via the Greater London Authority website, and broadcast live on LBC radio, and, in another first for City Hall, Londoners were able to take part online and via twitter, in addition to those choosing to join the Mayor and his team in person.

During the debate the Mayor took questions from the floor in the main Chamber, with proceedings chaired by broadcaster Nick Ferrari. Others opted to join his top advisors and London Assembly members in one of two discussion rooms, where the economy, transport, policing and the environment were all under the microscope.  Live links up connecting the discussions rooms with the Chamber allowed further questions to be put to the Mayor.

This was Boris Johnson’s third State of London Debate and it is just one of the occasions throughout the year that Londoners get to quiz the Mayor in person. In addition to the annual State of London Debate, since taking up office, the Mayor has tripled the number of chances people get to hold his administration to account by hosting six major public meetings a year, adding four issue-led events to the two statutory People’s Question Time evenings.  These events combined, including the two previous State of London Debates, have enabled more than 9,000 Londoners the chance to question Boris and his team in person during the first two years of his administration.  They Mayor also faces regular questioning from London Assembly members each month in a three hour session when he is quizzed on behalf of constituents. 

Watch today on the BBC Parliament Channel from 10.50am or via the iplayer http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/playlive/bbc_parliament/

Ends

Notes to Editors:

1.       Publication of an Annual Report and holding a State of London Debate every year are statutory obligations on the Mayor under the GLA Act. 

2.      A full copy of the Mayor’s Annual Report is available on the GLA website. Go to: http://www.london.gov.uk/who-runs-london/mayor/publications/government/mayors-annual-report-200910

3.      This was the third Annual Report to be published by the Mayor since taking office in 2008 and the third State of London Debate.

4.      An online video of the Mayor and his senior team outlining key achievements and future priorities can be viewed on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/MayorsOfficeLondon

5.     Londoners were also able to post clips telling the Mayor what they think of his administration via www.winkball.com in advance of the event.