Nicky Gavron has been reinstated as deputy mayor of London following incumbent mayor Ken Livingstone’s victory in Thursday’s elections.
Gavron, who is the mayor’s strategic planning adviser, had held the position of deputy mayor since the creation of the Greater London Authority (GLA) in 2000, but was replaced by Green Party London Assembly member Jenny Jones last year.
It is believed that Gavron secured the deputy position as part of a deal that saw her step aside as official Labour candidate for the 2004 elections.
Labour losses in the GLA elections could lead to Livingstone’s London Plan policies being blocked.
Labour lost two seats on Thursday, meaning that Livingstone will still have to form a “coalition of the willing” to get his budget approved.
Livingstone’s opponents have the necessary majority – equivalent to 16 seats out of the 25-seat Assembly – to block his proposals.
Meanwhile, Conservative Party leader Michael Howard has reshuffled his shadow cabinet, putting former health and education spokesman Tim Yeo in charge of the transport and environment briefs.
The move was made after the Conservative Party gained considerable ground in the local elections, but lost European voters to the UK Independence Party.
References: EGi News 15/06/04
