London: Mayor & More

Jeremy Mayhew, LDA Board Member

Reader Sam commented below:

"Jeremy Mayhew may be a 'Non-party Common Councilman' with the City according to the Mayor's press release, but he was also a former Special Adviser to Peter Lilley."

Quite so. He performed that role from 1990-1993. It's not a sin (well, maybe a little one) but it does slightly undermine that line about a "reasonable political balance." He's there partly for his arts expertise I'm told. More on Mayhew here and here.

Edmund Lazarus. What Is Cronyism? Discuss

Matt Taylor:

"Boris Johnson came under fire today after appointing a city financier who donated £22,500 to his campaign fund to an influential board at City Hall...Edmund Lazarus, who was a Tory councillor in Westminster during the 1990s, sits on the board of private equity firm Englefield. According to the Electoral Commission website he gave £10,000 to Johnson's campaign in October and another £12,500 in February. As an LDA board member he will be paid £14,000 for a minimum of three days work a month."

Well, well. Now read on.

Labour-Free LDA Board: Mayor's Office Statement

It says:

"There is no requirement under the GLA Act for LDA board members to be from any particular political party, however the current appointments of the four statutory elected members following the application process represent a reasonable political balance with two representatives from the Conservative Party, one from the Liberal Democrats and an unaffiliated City of London member. It is worth noting that out of 137 applications received for the LDA Board only two were from elected Labour representatives."

A "reasonable political balance"? Can't see the Labour group buying that. Mind you, just two applicants out of 137?

Labour Party Expunged From LDA Board

Yesterday's announcement of the make-up of the new LDA board was notable for the absence of an Labour Party Councillor or AM. As MayorWatch reports, Mayor Johnson's predecessor has been swift to point out that under him, the Conservatives were represented. I've asked the Mayor's office to explain the absence of Labourites and to confirm there has been no breach of rules. According to Mayorwatch:

"Under the Greater London Authority Act at least four board members of the LDA must be serving elected members of the London Assembly, London Borough Council or City of London Common Council and at least half of all members are required to be able to show experience of running a business."

If that's all there is to it, Johnson has acted within his rights. But let's see what his office says.