Greenwich to Host 'People's Question Time' with London Mayor

## People's Question Time: More Than Just a Q&A The upcoming People's Question Time (PQT) in Greenwich is a statutory obligation enshrined in the 1999 Greater London Authority Act, compelling the Mayor and London Assembly to face public questioning twice a year. This isn't a modern innovation but a foundational element of London's governance structure, designed to ensure direct accountability. The format allows for a hybrid of in-person and digital democracy, with questions taken from the live audience and a moderated online chat, where the most popular submissions, as voted by viewers, are put to the panel. The event's agenda is typically structured around key policy areas such as transport, policing, housing, air quality, and the economy. Past PQTs have seen robust exchanges on contentious issues. For example, the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has been a recurring flashpoint, with the Mayor defending it as a necessary environmental measure while facing criticism from those impacted by the charges. Similarly, questions around transport infrastructure, such as the accessibility of "floating bus stops" for blind people and the cost of public transport, have been raised directly by residents, forcing on-the-spot responses from the Mayor. For the Greenwich event, local issues will likely feature prominently. The Labour-run Greenwich Council is facing significant budget pressures, with a forecasted shortfall of £101 million by 2029/30. This financial strain has led to proposed council tax hikes and cuts to some services. The local Conservative opposition has put forward alternative proposals, including funding for more police officers in town centers and measures to tackle the conversion of family homes into Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). These local tensions are expected to inform the questions posed to the Mayor and Assembly members. The political dynamics between the Mayor, Sadiq Khan, and the 25-member London Assembly will be a key subtext. The Assembly, currently composed of 11 Labour members, 8 Conservatives, 3 Greens, 2 Liberal Democrats, and 1 Reform UK member, has a mandate to scrutinize the Mayor's decisions. While the Mayor's party holds the largest number of seats, they do not have an outright majority, creating a space for cross-party challenges. Recent mayoral priorities have included tackling rough sleeping, with a target to end it by 2030, and a controversial proposal to build on parts of London's green belt to address the housing crisis. These initiatives often face scrutiny and debate within the London Assembly. For instance, the Mayor's budget and policy strategies can be amended by a two-thirds majority in the Assembly, a high bar that necessitates some level of consensus or at least significant opposition to be met. The digital component of PQT is a critical channel for public engagement, though questions submitted online are subject to moderation to filter out abusive or off-topic content. For those unable to attend in person, the livestream and live chat offer a direct, albeit curated, line of communication to their elected officials. This hybrid format reflects the evolving nature of civic engagement in a major global city. The 2026 local elections will undoubtedly be on the minds of the Mayor and Assembly members. The political landscape in London is dynamic, with the recent elections showing shifts in voter sentiment. This PQT offers a platform for elected officials to address public concerns and for residents to gauge the priorities and performance of those who will be seeking their votes. While the direct impact of a single question can be difficult to trace, the cumulative effect of these public forums is to keep the Mayor and Assembly attuned to the concerns of Londoners. The Assembly's various committees often launch investigations into issues of public importance, and the themes emerging from PQT can influence their areas of focus. These investigations, in turn, can lead to policy recommendations and a more transparent and accountable city government.