POLLS, PORK PIES AND PLAN B

"As I write, the national political picture looks to be in significant flux – to put it diplomatically – and so a sensible approach would be to focus on what we know, as of around 6pm on Wednesday 19 Jan 2022."

DOORS OPEN? 

"Imagine you are stuck in a lift, you’re not too many floors up so not too worried about an imminent plummet but you are mildly inconvenienced because, say, you have a live media appearance to get to."

NEW YEAR IN ARREARS​

Happy New Year to all our readers – we hope you had a restorative break and are back at your desks (or kitchen tables) refreshed.

CERTAINLY UNCERTAIN

What we have for you this week is an edition of LDN sandwiched between two reviews of the year. First, a review of the world out there, and then, at the end, a review of the world in here – LCA Towers that is.

200!

In October 2017 we launched the first edition of LDN – London in Short in the format you know and love today. For many years before that it had been a much longer, monthly briefing and something we actually charged people for.

FESTIVE PHILANTHROPY

The season of goodwill is upon us with the start of Advent and halfway through Hanukkah, so thoughts rightly turn to those less fortunate than us, especially as the temperature has started to drop.

PLUS ÇA CHANGE…

If there’s a theme in this edition, it’s that sometimes it can be really, really hard to effect change. The sheer power of political inertia is borne out by our stories on TfL funding, planning decisions (read: refusals) and planning reform (or lack thereof).

FESTIVE... AND RESTIVE

The run up to Christmas should, in theory, be a time of joy.  But for many it is a time of increasing stress as people seek to close off projects to the holiday deadline, buy that present for Mum and plan festive feasts. 

JUST DESERTS?

It’s been a bruising few days for the Government, the governing party and indeed for our democratic system. And yet, all is not rotten in the state of Denmark.

FOR THE LOVE OF LONDON

At a challenging time, the London Society’s “Love Letters to London” competition provides a welcome distraction and opportunity to remember that our capital has many things to enjoy and cherish.

BUDGET BLUES?

As at about 6:30pm today, our top-level analysis of the Chancellor’s Budget statement could be characterised as “not as bad for London as it could have been”, or perhaps “ongoing benign neglect”. 

ARE YOU ULEZ READY?

"Much has been written about the terrible killing of Sir David Amess MP last Friday whilst conducting a constituency surgery. The decision to give Southend city status is an especially fitting tribute to a man who had campaigned for years to make this happen."