The Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge held on 12 March 2003 was an historic occasion. The most significant part of the agenda was the debate on the amendments to the Book of Constitutions to enable the formation of the Metropolitan Grand Lodge of London, the most significant change in the organisation of English Freemasonry since the Union of the two Grand Lodges in 1813.

The Grand Temple was full and additional seating was provided in Lodge Room No 1, where those present were able to follow the proceedings by means of a video link. To enable a full debate to take place Grand Lodge was opened at 11.15.

In moving the amendments the President of the Board, Rt Hon Earl Cadogan, said: "There has been considerable consultation, and substantive changes have been made to the original proposals as a result of feedback from London brethren. The proposals now tabled will enable London to move forward, with London Masons having a greater and better say in the way they practice their Masonry, and having more opportunities to serve the Craft. They have the support of the Grand Master and the Board, who believe that the formation of a Metropolitan Grand Lodge of London will not only be beneficial to London, but also to the Craft as a whole."

The motion was seconded by the former Assistant Grand Master, Rt Hon Earl of Eglinton and Winton, whose London Committee Report had started the process leading to the present proposed changes. He noted that change had been mooted in London for years and that the proposed changes were a natural step forward, adding "The new proposals will enable London to manage its own affairs and not be controlled by the Board of General Purposes. It is a natural step of evolution for Freemasonry in London."

Other speakers in favour of the motion referred to the need to look forward, to adapt in a changing society, for London to control its own future and for London to have an identity to unify its Lodges and members.

Speaking against the motion Bro Geoffrey Cops (Raineian Lodge No. 5763) stated his belief that London would lose its special nature and simply become another Province, adding that London "will lose its close ties with the United Grand Lodge of England and the Grand Master going back more than 200 years. There will be a second tier of bureaucracy. There will be a loss of members. London will be supporting its own demise. We have been denied the right to a democratic vote, which should have been carried out with all the London Lodges."

Other speakers against the motion expressed the views that London would lose its special nature and its special relationship with the Grand Master, were concerned that London Lodges had not been asked to vote on the matter before it went before Grand Lodge and claimed that London was not in support of the change.

Summing up the debate Bro Christopher Aylwin commented "London is special and must remain so. But at the same time we must recognise that it needs the support which the establishment of a more formal structure will give. ... London Masons will, for the very first time have their own distinctive voice in the high counsels of Masonry. ... London Masons will get the vote. They will have the opportunity to organise themselves in the way they want and to speak with one voice. That is not something they have had before, and it will enable London Masonry to grow and to flourish."

The resolutions to amend the Book of Constitutions were then put to the meeting and, by a show of hands, were carried by a substantial majority.