 Following the creation of the Greater London Council, she became chair of the housing committee with responsibility for around 200,000 homes.During opposition (1967–1973), she became Labour's deputy leader on the Council, before serving as chair of the transport committee from 1973 to 1975, establishing free buses for pensioners.In 1974, she was promoted to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, and from 1975–76, she became chair of the Greater London Council.