London Bids Goodby to Its Leftist-Run Government Council

LONDON — With a mixture of sadness and celebration, Londoners bade an emotional and spectacular farewell Monday to the leftist-controlled regional government headed by Ken Livingstone.

The Greater London Council was abolished by Prime Minister Thatcher’s Conservative government, leaving London as the only West European capital without a central authority elected by local taxpayers.

Thatcher said the government decided to scrap the council and six other big city administrations on grounds of waste, inefficiency and lavish spending on what she regards as radical causes. Her initiative proved controversial, and she lost the Parliament votes of some members of her own party on the issue.