The Mayor of London is one of the most powerful directly elected figures in British local government, but the office does not control every major service in the capital. Its authority is concentrated in a defined set of strategic areas.
Transport is the clearest mayoral power
Through Transport for London, the Mayor has major influence over fares, buses, the Underground, major roads and road-user charging. These decisions affect commuting, air quality, business costs and the wider economy.
Policing is strategic, not operational
The Mayor oversees policing priorities through the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime, but does not direct day-to-day police operations. That distinction matters when political accountability and operational independence collide.
Planning power is shared
The London Plan sets a strategic framework for development, and the Mayor can intervene in some major planning applications. Borough councils, however, still make many local planning decisions. Housing delivery also depends heavily on land, finance and funding agreements with central government.
The London Assembly provides scrutiny
The London Assembly questions the Mayor, examines strategies and scrutinises the budget. It cannot run the executive, but it provides an important public check on City Hall.
The result is a system built around shared authority. The Mayor is powerful enough to shape the capital’s direction, but not powerful enough to govern London alone.
See the Greater London Authority’s guide to the Mayor’s responsibilities.
