Caroline Pidgeon AM, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on the Mayor’s proposals to try to secure changes to the composition of the London Fire Authority by reducing its composition of elected London Assembly Members and borough councillors and to increase the number of Mayoral appointees, said:
“These proposals are nothing less than a power grab from the Mayor.
“The Mayor’s record of abusing his existing powers to appoint people to the London Fire Authority has been bad enough.
“After forcing through the closure of 10 fire stations the last thing London needs is a fire authority that has fewer elected councillors and London Assembly Members on it to keep a check on the Mayor and to speak up for Londoners. By seeking to sideline elected representatives that have sought to defend London’s fire service it seems the Mayor wants to have the power to close even further fire stations.”