This is an account of London's political history and its role in the politics of England. We move from the politics of Roman Londinium to Saxon Lundenwic and then to medieval times. The book features the constitutional upheavals of the 17th century, dwelling on the emergence of local democracy in one of the world's most inventive commercial centres, and outlines the reforms in London's government from the 18th to the 20th century.
The author contrasts the radicalism of areas such as Clerkenwell with the conservatism that had its roots in the gentlemen's clubs of the West End. It underlines the role of writers such as Dickens and Mayhew who exposed the abuses and limitations of government within the capital.
The book describes the introduction of the Metropolitan Board of Works and its successors, the London County Council and Greater London Council until the latter's abolition by Mrs Thatcher. There were defining historical moments such as the Suffragettes, the Reform movement, the Match Girls' Strike and the Dock Strike. Leading political figures have made contributions to London's history - Lord Rosebery, Will Crooks, Shaw, Attlee, Morrison, Bradlaugh - through to Ken Livingstone.
245 x 185mm (hardback with 139 illustrations) 200 pages
Published 2007
