The capital punches below its weight because it can’t govern itself. Slash the number of boroughs, reform the London Assembly and give the Mayor revenue-raising powers to unleash London, says Joe Hill

To be the Mayor of London is to be the leader of a global capital city. It is a different job to the other mayors across England because London isn’t just competing with Manchester, Birmingham or Leeds for investment, tourism and talent – it’s competing with New York, Tokyo and Paris.

Sadiq Khan sees the job as being a kind of ambassador – representing London on the world stage, and the views of Londoners at home. Arguing about Trump and Brexit alongside attracting business investment. Boris Johnson was similarly a keen evangelist for London abroad when he was Mayor.

They’re right that the global stage matters, but mayors often embrace it because it’s easier than dealing with their problems back home. Because the Mayor of London is unusually underpowered compared to his peers who lead other global capital cities. 

The mayors of New York........

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