The London Assembly has expressed its disappointment that neither the Mayor of London nor a member of his team were able to attend a full Assembly meeting on London’s economic recovery.
The Chair of the Assembly, Navin Shah AM, will write to the Mayor expressing this view and will request a commitment that when invited or requested in future, an appropriate Mayoral representative will attend all Assembly meetings.
Shaun Bailey AM, who proposed the amended motion said:
“Londoners deserve to hear from the Mayor and his team about how they plan to help London’s economy recover from this unprecedented crisis. It’s unacceptable that no one representing the Mayor faced the London Assembly to answer questions on this crucial issue.
“I hope that the London Assembly’s unanimous agreement that the Mayor and his team should not avoid scrutiny will make him think again about failing to at least send a representative to Assembly meetings. Londoners want to hear how City Hall will protect jobs in London. They will be bitterly disappointed that the Mayor ducked questions on our city’s recovery.”
The full text of the amended motion is:
“That the Assembly notes the answers to the questions asked.
“This Assembly places on record its disappointment that, despite the critical importance to businesses and livelihoods across London of the issues discussed today, no formal representative of the Mayor or his team was able to or offered to attend.
“The Assembly is most grateful to the external guests and the GLA officer who joined us to discuss London’s economic recovery from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, but believes that Londoners deserve to hear from the Mayor and his representatives at this crucial time. Indeed, the Mayor and his team would have benefited from hearing the expert evidence of those who appeared before us today.
“This Assembly agrees for the Chair to write to the Mayor expressing its disappointment and requesting a firm commitment that, when invited or requested in future, an appropriate Mayoral representative will always attend Assembly meetings.”
Notes to editors
- Watch the webcast.
- The motion was agreed unanimously.
- Shaun Bailey AM, who proposed the motion, is available for interviews.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Lisa Lam on 020 7084 2713. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.