Conservative London Assembly Member Andrew Boff has been re-elected as Chair of the London Assembly for a third term, vowing to stringently hold Mayor Sadiq Khan to account on issues that matter most to Londoners. Boff, who has twice presided over all-member proceedings in City Hall, was elected to another one-year term during the annual reshuffle of committee leadership positions.
Tory Rebel Takes the Helm
Outgoing Assembly Chair Lord Len Duvall, a Labour Assembly Member, nominated Boff, praising him for thinking outside the box and challenging his own group on issues raised in the chamber. City Hall Conservatives Group Leader Susan Hall seconded the motion, noting that the Assembly was very lucky to have Boff despite his occasional rebellion against his own party. Boff was famously escorted out of the Conservative Party Conference in 2023 after heckling then Home Secretary Suella Braverman.
In a statement to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Boff expressed gratitude to Lord Duvall for chairing during the special 25th anniversary year. He emphasized his commitment to continuing the great work of highlighting the achievements of young Londoners through the London Youth Assembly. Boff stated that cross-party work on the Assembly has a real impact on everyday lives and that he is honored to be Chair once again. He pledged that the London Assembly will continue to hold the Mayor to account on issues that matter most to Londoners.
The London Assembly Chair holds significant procedural power over all-Assembly sessions, including monthly Mayor's Question Time, where they can call out members for inappropriate questioning or the Mayor for avoiding questions.
Musical Chairs: Committee Leadership Changes
Assembly Members also elected chairs of various cross-party investigative committees, which hold regular sessions throughout the year. These chairs influence what each committee investigates, adding weight to the position. Although the Assembly lacks decision-making powers, committees can scrutinize high-profile figures such as Deputy Mayors, top officials from the Met Police, Transport for London (TfL), and the London Fire Brigade, and produce recommendations for the Mayor.
Susan Hall, elected Chair of the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee, told LDRS that ensuring Londoners' safety is an absolute priority. She highlighted the committee's role in scrutinizing the Mayor, the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime, and the Met Police to make London a safe place to live, work, and visit. Hall looks forward to working with cross-party colleagues on policing issues.
Four of the five parties represented on the Assembly secured at least one committee chair position. Liberal Democrat Gareth Roberts, new Chair of the Environment Committee, said the committee will focus on tackling persistent problems like fly-tipping and improving access to green spaces to enhance quality of life across the capital. By bringing together diverse perspectives, they aim to protect London's environment and make the city cleaner, greener, and healthier.
Green Party's Caroline Russell, who will oversee the Transport Committee, stated that probing self-driving vehicles on London's streets is a top priority. Labour's Bassam Mahfouz, Chair of the Economy, Culture and Skills Committee, said his committee will emphasize jobs, skills, and supporting young people entering the workforce.
Reform UK Rejects Chair Opportunity
With former Tory defector Keith Prince doubling the party's representation on the London Assembly, Reform UK was technically entitled to seek a chairmanship or deputy chairmanship of any committee. However, they rejected the opportunity, suggesting that Prince and his colleague Alex Wilson prefer to hold the Mayor to account through other means. A Reform UK City Hall spokesman stated that the group does not hold any chairmanships, as committees are investigatory and wield no meaningful power. They agreed not to revisit allocation and rotation of chairmanships until after the 2028 Assembly Elections, allowing Wilson and Prince to focus on holding Sadiq Khan accountable for his failures in office.
