Bluffers guide to the mayor of London and GLA

March 1998 The Government revealed proposals to set up a Greater London Authority (GLA) made up of an elected mayor and separately elected assembly who would be elected every four years

March 1998 The Government revealed proposals to set up a Greater London Authority (GLA) made up of an elected mayor and separately elected assembly who would be elected every four years

The proposed authority would have a budget of around £3.3 billion and cost around £20 million a year to run (with setting up costs of approximately the same amount).

The GLA would comprise of... 1 Mayor - directly elected - responsible for setting the budget and policy on issues such as strategic planning, regeneration, the police, emergency services, transport and promoting London.

25 members who would monitor the mayor's performance

1 Deputy mayor appointed by the Mayor from within the 25 members of the Assembly.

May 7 1998 72% of Londoners voted in favour of the government's proposals.

The main contenders:

Ken Livingstone ÿ Former leader of the Greater London Council and Labour MP for Brent East.

Jeffrey Archer ÿ Best selling author and former Deputy chair of the conservative party.

Glenda Jackson ÿ Oscar winning actress, former transport minister and Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate.

Frank Dobson ÿ Former Health secretary and MP for Holborn & St Pancras.

Trevor Phillips - Labour candidate and television journalist/producer.

Susan Kramer - Liberal Democrat and leading businesswoman specialising in the financing of major transport infrastructure projects.