Mayor Ken Livingstone, the first elected Mayor of London since 1170, addressed the 69th Winter Meeting of The U.S. Conference of Mayors on Thursday, January 18 at a luncheon in his honor. Drawing from British history as well his estimation of the success of the U.S. federal system, Livingstone said, "As Mayors, we must continue to find ways to make our cities more livable now that they are more actively used. If we can get it right in America and in Europe, there is greater hope for thousands of millions of people around the world in other countries and other continents."

Livingstone emphasized his view that "Being a Mayor is the most rewarding and fulfilling job you can have in politics. I am proud to be here today to learn from your experience."

Mayor Livingstone was elected Mayor of London in May 2000 from a crowded field of eleven candidates from the Labour, Conservative, Green, and other parties, and garnered an impressive 38 percent of the vote. At the time he astounded Londoners by running as an independent when his party, Labour, certified another candidate as its choice for mayor.

Impressed by Volume of Work of U.S. Mayors

"It is an absolute experience to be here. I have been impressed by the sheer volume of what American mayors do," Livingstone said, adding, "as Britain moves toward a mayoral system, we need to learn from your successes and failures."

He noted that soon after his election in May 2000, Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer had visited him in London, emphasizing the notion of "best practices." He also tipped his hat to Charleston Mayor Joe Riley for his achievements in the area of city design and quality of life, especially his founding of the Mayors' Institute on City Design.

Britain Moving Toward Devolution

The only other election for Mayor of London took place in 1170, during the rule of King John. Mayor Livingstone pointed out that "first mayor [was] elected for life," and his two big issues were the "sitting of privies and the width of walls between adjacent buildings."

Today, Britain is moving toward the devolution of power, including the election of mayors. Mayor Livingstone noted, "I will see the Prime Minister's Policy advisors when I get back. We can learn from you in terms of your devolution efforts and our devolution efforts as we devolve further into our regions.

Impressed by New U.S. Rails Projects

Mayor Livingstone had also addressed the Winter Meeting in his presentation at the Mayors' Summit: "A National Rail Policy for the 21st Century," on Wednesday, January 17. At the luncheon he stressed, "I will take back the amazing news to Britain about your 200 new rail projects and others underway. Rail systems are back as a major force in transportation policy. . . . I am trying to get 3 new subway lines in London."

From Talking To Doing

"Compared to my 14 years in Parliament in which I could talk about others doing things to my now being a Mayor who is able to actually do things has been a transformation. Being a mayor is infinitely more satisfying.

"The city is a unique body. If we look at the history of cities, almost all human progress has come from cities. And great cities go through periods of innovation - Paris with the impressionists, San Francisco with its technological revolution, Berlin before the Nazis with its radicalization of the theatre. Cities are crucibles of civilization and innovation...."