Peter Rhodes on old sky taxis, the future for London and three snags facing law-makers

In yesterday's column I referred to London as “our capital". But does that sort of relationship still exist between the great city and its hinterland? London is a vast international colony, more like a city state than a mere city. The biggest city in western Europe, London is distinctly different from the rest of Britain by just about any measure you use, from ethnic mix (300 languages are spoken) to individual wealth, social attitudes, public demos, wealth inequality and even climate (all that concrete generates much heat).