Before Labour entered Downing Street in July last year, the Conservatives had a fractious relationship with London's mayor. The Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, was at war with Sadiq Khan over the bailout for TfL following Covid, while as housing secretary, Robert Jenrick intervened to change targets in the London Plan. Both were viewed as incursions on London's autonomy.
It was not the first time London's politicians and the UK Government have not seen eye-to-eye. Ken Livingstone had a troubled relationship with the Blair Government and the Treasury under Gordon Brown. Margaret Thatcher detested Livingstone so much she dismantled the Greater London Council in 1986.
