28 August 1998
The commission has created 14 constituencies from the 32 London boroughs by joining together economically and politically similar electorates.
The commission's chairman, Professor Malcolm Grant, said: 'We have borne in mind the need to achieve reasonable electoral equality, so that a vote cast in one electoral area carries the same weight as a vote cast in another. We decided that there was a case for combining similar boroughs in the new areas so that differing perspectives on strategic issues can find a voice in the new assembly.'
The one exception to the rule is the City of London. It will be linked to the more deprived boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Newham and Barking & Dagenham. The Corporation of London's consultation with residents found a majority in favour of combining with the affluent borough of Westminster, although the Corporation maintained a neutral position.
Professor Grant said initial proposals had included linking diverse areas. But the commission was concerned that members representing very different constituencies might resolve conflict in backrooms rather than openly debate dissent in the assembly.
Each of the 14 areas will have an average of 350,000 voters and will return a single member of the authority under the traditional 'first past the post' system.
A further 11 assembly members will be drawn from London-wide lists to reflect the proportion of votes the parties receive.
It is estimated that the cost of administering the assembly will be around £20m a year. There will be 250 staff. The mayor and assembly members will also be full-time paid posts.
The proposals are open for consultation until October 13. The commission will publish its final recommendations on November 30.
PFaug1998
