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."

A 'NEW NORMAL' SEPTEMBER?

Things are starting to settle back into a vaguely familiar September routine for LCA. The kids are back in school, we’ve begun to trickle back into the office, planning committees are starting up again after the usual August lull, and the political calendar is gradually looking a bit more recognisable.

WE'RE BACK 

Following a refreshing summer break, the LDN team is back on the job and ready for the autumn’s usual hustle. 

ZERO HOUR

"The cats are away today and LCA’s Research Rats have come out to play. Our Chairman and Editor are both occupied elsewhere, so opening this edition falls to yours truly. Though we’ve been left with strict instructions to avoid referring to [REDACTED], not to reveal [REDACTED], and to not, under any circumstances whatsoever, mention the [REDACTED].."

GOOD SPORTS

"The Tokyo Olympics are providing some great sporting moments for Team GB and despite the lack of crowds, they bring back many happy memories of the London 2012 Games. Plans are afoot to celebrate the 10th anniversary and the incredible legacy of that extraordinary event next year."

LONDON AT SEA?

As LDN’s regular readers know, LCA tends to let the stories speak for themselves, rarely if ever making too much of ourselves in this must-read weekly news bulletin. But this week, we have news that is simply too exciting to bury. We are really delighted to announce that Paddy Hennessy, Sadiq Khan’s former Director of Communications...

PING CITY

"I am, as ever, indebted to Professor Tony Travers of the LSE who re-drew my attention to the wonderful world of TfL’s tap-in data at Underground stations. Why, you might ask? Well, it is one of the few relatively immediate, accurate bits of data we all have to seek to make sense of the ongoing impact of the pandemic."