The Mansion House Accord will be remembered as the showpiece of this mayoralty, but there is much else to be proud of, says Alastair King as his term draws to a close

In my speech at the annual City regulators’ dinner a fortnight ago, I promised not to assume the role of the schoolmaster – telling our guests that they were doing well but could be doing better. Now as I approach the time to pack my bags at Mansion House and hand over the keys to my successor, it is time to turn in my own report card for the year.

I committed from the start that mine would be a high-energy mayoralty. Looking back, I believe all the evidence points exactly to that. We have hosted State Visits by the Amir of Qatar and President Macron, as well as attending the State Banquet with President Trump. I organised a slew of fundraising events for charities and good causes, and visited 20 countries to beat the drum for British business. Just this morning I returned from the final visit of my mayoralty – one that encompassed Saudi Arabia (my third trip there in my term of office – a record), Indonesia and Bahrain (my second visit as Lord Mayor).

On those trips I have often been struck by the growing chasm between the........

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