Reg Goodwin - GLC Leader

GLC Leader

The Motorway Box issue and commitment to better public transport was the key to Labour's victory in the 1973 election. After the election Sir Reg appointed Peter Walker to head his private office despite protests from the Conservatives and the GLC officers. This was the first ever open political appointment in the history of British local government and soon set the template for other similar appointments.

Sir Reg then changed the whole political decision making process in the GLC, ensuring that officers left after presenting their papers to the Labour cabinet who then made a decision and Peter Walker acted as secretary conveying the decisions to the Officers after going through the Labour group. By this manner Goodwin managed to continue the distinctly green agenda set in the 1973 manifesto despite many economic problems nationally that affected the GLC's finances.