Puffed-Up Politicians at London City Hall

London's new City Hall and its Assembly Chamber, by Sir Norman Foster

Ten times a year London's mayor is subjected to questioning by the 25 city counselors (or "Assembly Members") and the public is invited to witness the political posturing and blood-letting. The members are seated according to party affiliations and it's immediately apparent who's there to congratulate the city's leader and who brings out the long knives. Mayor Boris Johnson, with his back to the Thames and the Tower of London rising menacingly over his shoulder, tried to deftly deflect questions about the Tube and potential transit strikes, air pollution, the run up to the Olympics, and generally why he's accomplished nothing during his tenure (at least according to Ken Livingston, the man Johnson replaced, who was sitting in front of us). It's high political theatre with catcalls, harrumping and raised voices with a veneer of civility--all in a building referred to politely as the "glass onion" and less politely as the "glass testicle."