Occupy London discovers some demands - and they are good ones

Today's Guardian carries a report saying that the Occupy London demonstrators have finally come up with some demands - and they are making them of the City of London Corporation itself:

The Occupy statement says democratic reform is "urgently needed" for an "unconstitutional and unfair" institution. It calls for:

• An end to business and corporate votes in elections, which can outvote residents. 

• Removal of "secrecy practices", and transparent reform of institutions. 

• Decommissioning of the City of London police, with officers put under the Met. 

• Abolition of the offices of lord mayor, sheriffs and aldermen. 

• A truth and reconciliation commission to examine allegations of corruption.

The last one looks a bit silly: we are not living in apartheid South Africa and I would like to see some more prosecutions. But they are right in their implication that the City of London Corporation needs democratic reform.

I don't suppose that even an election under a reformed system would produce a very radical administration in the Square Mile, but other city corporations were reformed in the 19th century. The demonstrators are right to say that it is time London caught up.