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Border officials in Bromley and new independence movements in Outer London are just some of the issues London would confront if it became independent, according to some of the capital’s top devolution experts.

Nick Bowes from the Centre for London, joined others asking the question “What if London Became an Independent City State?” in Farringdon on Tuesday, December 6, at an event organised by the London Society and news site OnLondon. “An independent London would end up being a progressive nation, a liberal place on immigration, and possibly drugs. It could be the UK’s drug tourism destination,” he joked.

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Almost none of London’s energy is generated here, waste is exported - dumped in Essex on boats - and gas comes through terminals and ports outside of the capital. Food flows through Felixstowe and Southampton, with no major port handling facilities in London. Amusingly, three of the city’s international airports would be in a different country - Gatwick, London Southend and London Luton.

“Doing the full Elizabeth line route, you’d have to show your passport twice. You might get separatist movements - people in Havering opting out of liberal London. And the prime minister of the rump of England could hold London to ransom, with high duties to allow goods to cross into London,” Mr Bowes said.

waste is exported - dumped in Essex on boats