It will probably never happen and it probably never should but…what if London became an independent city state? On 6 December 2022 at the gallery venue of the Alan Baxter architectural practice in Farringdon a distinguished panel of London thinkers addressed that fascinating question with tongues slightly in cheek but also with a serious purpose.
Nick Bowes (Centre for London), Jenna Goldberg (London Communications Agency), Catherine McGuinness (ex-chair City of London policy and resources committee) and Professor Tony Travers (LSE London) imagined the freedoms and autonomy London government would enjoy, but also the practical difficulties and vulnerabilities a theoretical nation state of London would experience.
It was an entertaining evening jointly organised by On London and The London Society chaired by me, On London publisher and editor Dave Hill. To find out what the panel thought might happen to London’s economy, public finances and relationships with other nations, as well as what would be done about King Charles and what our national anthem might be, watch the whole thing below.
The film was produced by Dalston-based social enterprise Mediorite.
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