This timely book is the first to take a close historical look at Ken Livingstone s London. It examines the development of London governance from the demise of the Greater London Council to the establishment of the Greater London Authority. The authors investigate the working of Mayor and Assembly, unravel the underlying politics of London and explore policy debates about transport, crime, and economic development. Finally they pose a question of key importance, not just to Londoners, but also to those interested in urban governance throughout the world: to what extent can the creation of new institutions and instruments of government give a major city the sense of being a political community?

This well-researched guide to the recent history of London's government retells the story of the passage of the [Greater London Authority Act] through parliament, the subsequent referendum and the eventual election of a mayor and assembly in June 2000 ... It is measured, accurate, and fair to all the participants. Perhaps the most valuable lesson can be drawn from the section comparing city management systems around the world * Steven Norris, The Financial Times *
Pimlott and Rao judiciously scrutinise how [London] ended up with [Ken Livingstone]. They tease out the history of London government, and how the Livingstone regime has performed so far * Paul Barker, The Independent *