FOREVER AUTUMN

"Today’s LDN comes to you as the dust has barely begun to settle on the Autumn Statement. The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, ended up delivering a more detailed statement than perhaps many expected. Buoyed by slightly better financial circumstances than many predicted, the Government found themselves with more wriggle room than for many years."

GET ME DAVE

"Reshuffles are an intrinsic part of British politics. While Keir Starmer’s reshuffle back in September was done from a position of strength, Rishi Sunak’s changes to his top team this week come from a position of weakness – perhaps even out of desperation."

THE KING'S SPEECH - LESS TAKE OFF, MORE HOLDING PATTERN

The King’s Speech is the latest attempt by the Government to revive their flagging fortunes, and in this week’s LDN we unpack the list of legislative priorities for what is likely to be the final parliamentary session before the next General Election.

A ROYAL RELAUNCH

“It’s over 70 years since the last time a King officially opened the new parliamentary term. On that occasion, a new Conservative government had just been elected in a post war period still feeling the effects of the conflict."

WHAT LONDON STANDS FOR

“London’s diversity is one of the things that makes it such a special place. It is home to people and communities from every corner of the world, and the richness this brings is key to its global city status. It’s one of the factors which drew me to live here over twenty years ago."

ROLL UP! ROLL UP! FOR THE GREAT YIMBYs VERSUS NIMBYs CONTEST

“The news that Keir Starmer is an out-and-proud YIMBY feels like a moment. I’m not sure I can recall the leader of a political party being so categorical about their desire to push on with building homes and infrastructure, even if that means local opposition has to be faced down."

KEIR COMES THE SUN

“For the last few days at Labour’s conference in Liverpool, the only way to get decent mobile coverage was to stand next to the Mersey and wave your phone towards Birkenhead. Reportedly, over 18,000 passes were issued for the conference – a new record."

HOW SOON IS NOW?

“When Labour’s Jim Callaghan lost the 1979 election, he reflected that sometimes ‘there is a sea-change in politics. It then does not matter what you say or what you do. There is a shift in what the public wants and what it approves of’."

CRACKING ON THROUGH THE STORM

“It has been a fascinating two days. Tuesday saw the Opportunity London Investment Summit and then the London Real Estate Forum VIP Reception.  And today we have been at the London Real Estate Forum itself."

WESTMINSTER ON TOUR 

“You might notice some changes to the LDN format from today, with the aim of making it more readable. We hope these are well received by our loyal readership and do get in touch with your thoughts."

MOMENTUM IS THE NAME OF THE GAME

“Momentum in politics is everything. With momentum, everything goes a party’s way. It’s almost as if they can do no wrong. Even the dangers usually posed by scandal or gaffes can melt away into nothing when the wind is in your sails."