Key information
Request reference number: MGLA260826-6667
Date of response:
Summary of request
I would like to know are all the mayor's deputies paid up members of the Labour party. If so how many people were interviewed for those positions. I would like to see if these posts benefit London and not the Labour party.
Our response
The Mayor has powers under section 67 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999 to appoint staff to the GLA, including up to two Political Advisers under section 67(1)(a) and up to 11 other members of staff under section 67(1)(b). The GLA's Guidance on Political Restriction identifies the Deputy Mayors and Mayoral Directors as politically restricted posts, which normally form part of these “2 + 11” appointments.
Holding a politically restricted post does not, in itself, prevent an individual from being a member of a political party. However, postholders are subject to statutory restrictions on certain political activities, including holding office in a political party, serving on certain party committees or sub-committees, canvassing, and undertaking certain forms of public political campaigning or advocacy. These restrictions apply both during working hours and in an individual's private time.
The GLA does not hold information on the political party membership of individual postholders, as there is no requirement for individuals to declare such affiliations. Although some individuals may choose to declare this information voluntarily on their Register of Interests (which are published online), where this has not occurred the information is not held. Accordingly, we are unable to provide information as to whether any individual is a member of a particular political party.