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Boost for Boris Johnson as David Cameron axes London minister
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor4 Jun 2010
The post of "Minister for London" has been quietly abolished by David Cameron as part of a wider move to boost the role of Boris Johnson, the Standard has learned.
The Prime Minister has decided that the job is no longer required as it overlaps with the Mayor's responsibilities. The move to axe the ministerial post is part of a trend to cut costs and devolve power to City Hall and comes days after it emerged that the Government Office for London is also to close.
But Labour has warned that the move is a retrograde step which will remove a voice for London in Whitehall and mean Londoners have less clout across the Lib-Con Government on issues such as Crossrail and other projects.
Ironically, at the same time as abolishing the post, Mr Cameron has decided to boost other cities across the country with their own "city minister".
Senior Downing Street sources confirmed that the Prime Minister had opted to get rid of the Minister for London post because it duplicated some of the functions of the Mayor.
The Conservatives are keen on devolving more power to City Hall and believe that having a separate ministerial post has been an "anomaly" since the Mayoralty and Greater London Authority were first created 10 years ago.
It is understood Stephen Hammond, the Tory MP for Wimbledon and a former shadow transport minister, would act as an informal "point man" for London issues.
There are several ministers in Government who represent London seats. Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers is the current Transport Minister in charge of the Crossrail project, while Bob Neill is Local Government Minister.
Some Tories believe privately that the decision to scrap the post is an error because the minister could have acted as a counterweight if Labour win back the mayoralty in 2012.
Mr Cameron did appoint successive shadow ministers for London, with Justine Greening - now a Treasury minister - seen as having made her name in the job. John Major created the post in 1994.
Under Labour, a string of ministers had the job, from Nick Raynsford to Keith Hill to Tony McNulty and then Tessa Jowell. Ms Jowell had Cabinet rank for the post, which was combined with a responsibility for the 2012 Olympics. The decision to axe the post has not been formally announced and only became clear after repeated questioning from the Standard.
Former Minister for London Jim Fitzpatrick said: "London generates at least 18 per cent of the nation's wealth and it's frankly ridiculous for this city not to have its own minister liaising between the Mayor and the Prime Minister and rest of Whitehall.
"It's dead sneaky for David Cameron to slip this out. Whatever happened to open government?"
Another former incumbent, Tony McNulty, added: "Now, more than ever, London needs a strong voice in the Government. It's quite outrageous."
Reader views (7)
About time! No more jobs for the boys - an excellent way to reduce costs and control that deficit.
- Mark, London, 07/06/2010 12:06
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So I take it there will no longer be ministers for Scotland as they have their own parliament?
Just goes to show hoe little the Tories care about the city that generates the wealth of the nation but then again Thatcher stole Londons business rate income in order to feather bed the Tory shires so same old story from the same old tory!!
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 06/06/2010 15:38
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Bad habit, not one for checking my personal written work. Sorry, but this should read, The last bit, ...... THAN focusing on what is different.
Was agreeing with his thinking!
Could always reverse this move of power if heading towards the wrong type of Mayor in 2012 (all parties, naturally)
- M, London, 05/06/2010 15:40
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"bring people together rather than focusing on what is different".
Read this in an article on Boris. The last bit, focusing ...... He reflects the view of many of us and glad he has more power to influence his thinking.
Also, I wonder if now that we may have to work until 70 that he will taking on a few 65 plus year olds. Know where to come in 20 years time. Ha!
- M, London, 05/06/2010 11:42
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Hooray one less senior politoco - just a few hundred to go.
If we got rid of 80% of them we would not miss them.
Most are worthless.
- Anglo, Sussex UK, 04/06/2010 20:47
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This title " Mayor of London " should be done away with and save a lot of cash,we already have a " Lord Mayor " lets get back to how it was,without all the competition,and backstabbing.
- Davey_buoy, Chertsey, 04/06/2010 18:35
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Hmmm Reichsfuhrer johnson has a ring about it doesn't it?
- Kerry, Purley, 04/06/2010 16:28
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