First meeting of the London Assembly. This meeting is by law required to take place within 10 days of the election. It is really a matter of formalities. We have now signed an agreement with the Tories which states clearly that there is no policy agreement – but which delivers the Chairs of 4 of the key committees between us. They will chair the Assembly and the Budget Committee in the first year and we will chair Business Managers and Transport Committee in the fist year.

Lots of concern that we have linked with the Tories – but it is a matter of power broking and keeping faith with London. As uncomfortable as it is to have any agreement with the Tories as we are diametrically opposed on most policy issues – it is important for London and holding the Mayor to account not to have a Labour member in these posts.

Can you imagine a Labour chair examining a Labour Mayor on his budget? How testing for him that would be – not!

All the other subject committees will be decided, hopefully consensually, by the now five party groups and will be sorted out over the next week.

I am extremely happy as I am elected Chair of Transport again – and retain my place on the Metropolitan Police Authority. I love both my portfolios – transport and policing and am keen to continue the work I have been doing to date.

One real addition to my role is that I am nominated and elected to the London board of the Commission for Racial Equality – which will tie in very well with my police work on race issues such as Stop and Search.

Really looking forward to the year ahead.