The current legislation in Britain is modelled on that in the US, where in 2011 over 50 former US mayors were in prison for corruption (Latham, 2011a, p 99). This chapter therefore focuses on developments since the Localism Act 2011 that reinforce the main arguments against directly elected mayors (DEMs), and explains why the Tory government now wants combined authorities with imposed DEMs in English cities.

Greater London

New Labour's Greater London Authority Act 1999 created the Greater London Authority (GLA), which is a strategic regional authority with a DEM whose powers are as follows:

• • Transport: control of the underground and London buses, taxis, Docklands Light Railway and most main roads (the London boroughs remain the highway and traffic authorities for 95% of roads);

• • Economic development: attracting new investment;

• • Environment: working with the boroughs on air quality, waste and so on;

• • Planning: setting the overall strategic framework for the development of London (the boroughs continue to deal with local planning matters);

• • Fire: the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority is responsible for London's fire service;

• • Culture: playing a leading part in developing London's tourism, culture and sport;

• • Health: promoting the improvement of the health of Londoners.

New Labour's Greater London Authority Act 2007 gave the DEM new lead roles on housing and adult skills; a strengthened role over planning; and additional strategic powers in a wide range of policy areas including waste, culture, sport, health and climate change. In addition, the DEM was given discretion to appoint political representatives to the Transport for London Board, appoint the Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority or assume the role of Chair and appoint two members of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority Board.

Sections 186–231 of the Tory-led Coalition government's Localism Act:

• • devolved executive powers over housing investment from the Homes and Communities Agency to the GLA;

• • abolished the London Development Agency and transferred its city-wide roles on regeneration and management of European funding to the GLA;

• • gave new powers for the Mayor of London to create Mayoral Development Corporations to focus regeneration where it is needed most, in partnership with London boroughs;