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."

BOUNCING BACK?

Central London is on our minds this week in LDN – though we do at least start with a story about Croydon. The very centre of the capital of the world (we’re not biased) is certainly at a moment of existential exploration – to put it kindly.

LEVELLING UP, LEVELLING DOWN

"As party conference draws to a close for another year, Black History Month begins."

A NEW CHAPTER

"Today, a few months into LCA’s 23rd year of business, we have made some important announcements about our future."

GRAND OPENING(S)

"Michael Gove is the first SoSfLUP, a remarkable turn of events. The fate of planning reform, as well as many a called-in scheme, is in the palm of his hand."

JENRICK EJECTED

"Oh the schadenfreude of a reshuffle, there really should be a (more) specific German word for it, roughly translatable to ‘a fleeting feeling of misplaced glee tempered by the ennui of knowing not much will really change."