City of London

: For London as a whole, see the main article London.

Local government

:see also Corporation of London

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The City of London has a unique political status, a legacy of its uninterrupted integrity as a corporate city since the Anglo Saxon period and its singular relationship with the crown. It is administered by the Corporation of London, headed by the Lord Mayor of London (not the same post as the more recent London Mayor, who presides over Greater London). The City is a ceremonial county too, although instead of having its own Lord-Lieutenant, the City of London has a Commission, headed by the Lord Mayor, exercising this function.

Related Topics:
Corporation of London - Lord Mayor of London - London Mayor - Ceremonial county - Lord-Lieutenant

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Elections

The City has a unique electoral system, which does not follow the usual rules of democracy, allowing businessmen a vote and arranging voters in wards with very unequal number of voters. This is sometimes a cause of controversy.

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The City of London (Ward Elections) Bill, which will reform the current voting system for electing Members to the Corporation of London, jumped its final hurdle by getting approval from the House of Lords at the end of October 2002.

Related Topics:
House of Lords - October 2002

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Under the new system, the business vote will be increased by 16,000 to 32,000. Previously disenfranchised firms will be entitled to nominate voters, in addition to those already included in the business vote, and will be required to choose these voters in a representative fashion. The Bill will also remove other anomalies that have developed over time within the current system, which has been unchanged since the 1850s.

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This system is usually seen as undemocratic, but adopting a more conventional system would place the 7,000 residents of the City in charge of local planning for a major financial capital. Proposals to annex the City to one of the neighbouring London boroughs, possibly the City of Westminster, have never been taken seriously.

Related Topics:
London borough - City of Westminster

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Other functions

The City has its own independent police force, the City of London Police. The rest of Greater London is policed by the Metropolitan Police Service, based at New Scotland Yard.

Related Topics:
City of London Police - Metropolitan Police Service - New Scotland Yard

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The City of London controls three independent schools - City of London School (all male), City of London School for Girls (all female) and City of London Freemen's School (co-educational).

Related Topics:
Independent schools - City of London School - City of London School for Girls - City of London Freemen's School

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The City is a major patron of the arts. It oversees the Barbican Centre and subsidisies several important performing arts companies.

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