Why is Jacqui Smith so determined to assert her authority over our Mayor in the appointment of the next Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police?

The Home Secretary has turned down Boris Johnson's suggestion that he should have the final say over a replacement for Sir Ian Blair, the outgoing Met Chief.

She told him, in a letter which made its way to the newspapers: "I would make the decision on who to recommend to her majesty after interviewing one or more of the candidates."

Now, the Evening Standard reports that a battle of wills is taking place behind the scenes - extending even into disagreements over the wording of the job advert.

Boris no doubt has his flaws. But he is the person directly elected by Londoners to run our city, and one of the things we expect of him is to make our streets safer.

He may succeed or he may not. However, he must be allowed the powers he needs to give it his best shot - and if he fails, we'll kick him out in the next mayoral election.

This isn't about preferring one politician over another. It's about the fact that the Mayor, whether Lib Dem, Labour or (in this case) Tory, has a direct mandate from the people of the city.

If we want our police to respond to the needs of Londoners, our best bet is to make them accountable to the Mayor.

Labour is discovering that devolution has its drawbacks for central Government. It's easy to talk about transferring power down to a local level, but much harder for any politician when they realise key decisions are now out of their hands.

But Ms Smith should accept that it is the Mayor that Londoners look to for leadership in the city. Let Boris decide who runs our police force.

Related links: Apply to be the next Metropolitan Police Commissioner here.

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