Last week London Councils, representing the 32 boroughs, called for the capital to be run more on the lines of a mayoral combined authority. It argues that a directly-elected mayor should need the approval of a majority of borough leaders to implement their policies.

I hope the Government rejects this proposal – which Tony Travers of the LSE described as ‘power-sharing'. Indeed, I think they should do the opposite. I would urge the Government to give London-style powers to the mayors of the provincial combined authorities.