Liberal Democrats Party Autumn Conference at Bournemouth International Centre – Caroline Pidgeon

Caroline Pidgeon has led the Liberal Democrats on the London Assembly for 14 years, and has been a member for 16. Today was her last day in the chamber, because the London elections kick into action next week and she is not standing again.

Caroline has been Co-Chair of the Transport Committee for 16 years, and has asked an amazing 8,235 Mayoral Questions (the most of any Assembly Member ever since its establishment in 2000).

This morning Sadiq Khan paid a warm tribute to her, which you can view here. (Apologies – it can’t be embedded). He then launched into a response to the question she had submitted which asked the Mayor of London what he has done to lobby for further devolution for London and what further powers he would support for both the GLA as a whole and the London Assembly, which currently only serves as a scrutiny body for the Mayor of London with limited powers of its own.

Caroline also called on the Mayor to set up a 3rd London Finance Commission to present to the next incoming UK Government for more fiscal devolution and options for raising finance to fund infrastructure and services in the capital.  Alongside this, looking at the new Devolution deals with far-reaching new powers in Greater Manchester and the West Midlands, which give the regional authorities a single funding settlement similar to Scotland and Wales.

She says:

On my final Mayor’s question after 16 years on the Assembly, I want to leave the Mayor of London and others with some ambitious targets going forward.

Over the last few years, we have seen the UK Government announce wide-ranging devolution deals for other urban areas including single funding pots and powers covering regional rail services, health and social care.

Meanwhile London seems to have been left behind. I want to see the Mayor of London put forward an ambitious ask of any new incoming UK Government after the General Election that will give London the powers, levers and the finances to achieve the best possible results for our residents and to truly represent the global powerhouse it is.

It is also important to see the London Assembly granted further powers to ensure that the Mayor is properly held to account and that Londoners are truly represented in decision-making processes by our City’s leaders.

16 years, 160 oral questions to the Mayor, 8,300 written questions & countless committees later I've just asked my final question as a London Assembly Member.

It's been the honour of a lifetime to represent Londoners and champion their causes and concerns. Thank you! pic.twitter.com/yU67gGUPrG

— Caroline Pidgeon AM🔶 🇺🇦 (@CarolinePidgeon) March 15, 2024

I have to add my own thanks to Caroline Pidgeon. In spite of having oversight of 33 London boroughs she has always been fully up to speed on the issues in my patch. She has been accessible, friendly and always responsive. Caroline has set a standard for political life to which we should all aspire. Here at LDV we wish her a happy “retirement” – in which she will no doubt be lending her skills to other forms of community action.

* Mary Reid is a contributing editor on Lib Dem Voice. She was a councillor in Kingston upon Thames, where she is still very active with the local party, and is the Hon President of Kingston Lib Dems.