Conservative Reform of Metropolitan Counties: Abolition of the GLC and MCCs in Retrospect

Abstract

This article examines the views of the Conservatives in London local government, and Conservative and Labour councillors outside London, during the abolition of the Greater London Council - (GLC) and the Metropolitan County Councils - (MCCs) in 1985. The official reasons of the Conservative government for the abolition are assessed, as well as the alleged political reasons causing the demise of these metropolitan tiers. It is argued that the views of the Conservative boroughs in London and the attitude of Conservative and Labour districts outside London created an environment in which the government could achieve its goal; the government's official arguments for the abolition were based on assertion and assumptions rather than evidence or competent research; and the government was mainly motivated by partypolitical reasons or partisan advantage in this controversial policy.