Row erupts over Tory plan to stop Soho pub goers standing up Hospitality London Mayor Sadiq Khan has slammed a plan backed by a Tory council to stop pub goers in Soho from drinking while standing up. Westminster Council, the now-Conservative-run local authority that covers London’s most popular drinking spots, has set out its ambition to radically limit “vertical drinking” or ordering drinks at the bar under a [...]
Sadiq Khan urges Labour to back return to EU Politics Sadiq Khan has called for Labour to campaign for the UK to rejoin the European Union, days after Rachel Reeves delivered one of the most Europhile speeches since Brexit. The London Mayor said his party should move beyond discussions about access to the single market or joining the customs union by 2030, and instead move [...]
Can Reeves’ fiscal devolution plans defeat the Nimbys? Opinion Rachel Reeves plans to end the paradox of British politics whereby local people bear the costs of growth but rarely feel the benefits. Will it work? Asks John Oxley Rachel Reeves attracts many descriptions, but few would peg her as a revolutionary. Her new plan for the economic landscape of the country might change this. [...]
Starmer defends Burnham snub: ‘The fight is with Reform’ January 26, 2026 Keir Starmer has defended a decision to block Andy Burnham from standing as a candidate to run as an MP in an upcoming by-election, claiming political resources should be allocated towards Labour’s “fight with Reform”. Less than a day after Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) – which Starmer is a member of – voted 8-1 [...]
Londoners don’t want Sadiq Khan to run for Mayor again December 3, 2025 The majority of Londoners do not want Sadiq Khan to run for Mayor again in 2028, new polling has shown, with 56 per cent saying London is going in the wrong direction. A Morning Wire/Freshwater Strategy poll of London voters has shown that three in five of the capital’s residents believe that Khan should not [...]
Budget: ‘Tax on holidays’ slammed by Butlin’s boss November 26, 2025 The chief executive of Butlin’s has slammed Rachel Reeves for introducing a ‘tax on holidays’ in her Budget today. Jon Hendry Pickup has argued that “hospitality businesses like Butlin’s remain caught in the crossfire of the Chancellor’s tax and spend ideology”. The chief executive was reacting to the ‘tourism tax’ which has been welcomed by [...]
Sadiq Khan to blame for slump in London housing starts, think tank says October 17, 2025 Sadiq Khan is to blame for a dearth in housebuilding in London, a leading think tank has warned, as new construction projects slumped to their lowest level seen in years. A perfect storm of challenging macroeconomic conditions, needlessly stringent regulation and a sluggish planning process has helped push construction rates down to just 4,170 housing [...]
Tube strikes: Union leader says £72,000 salary is not enough September 10, 2025 RMT chief Eddie Dempsey has claimed that tube drivers on £72,000 a year were not making enough to buy a home in London, reflecting the union boss’ militant position on ongoing tube strikes. The union boss told Times Radio he made “no apologies” for the ongoing strike as he said the salary, which is around [...]
Sadiq Khan accused of avoiding public over tube strikes September 9, 2025 Sadiq Khan has been accused of hiding from the public amid ongoing tube strikes hitting Londoners and commuters, with costs on businesses projected to rise above £100m. The Mayor has faced heavy criticism over the lack of public comments made in response to the tube strikes, with union bosses holding firm on radical demands to [...]
No 10 backs ‘fed up’ Londoners in tube strikes row – as pressure grows on Khan September 8, 2025 No 10 has backed “fed up” Londoners hit by tube strikes on Monday as Mayor Sadiq Khan was urged to find a solution with the trade union RMT to end industrial action. People across the capital have been hit by strikes stopping services on the London Underground, with disruption to last until Friday. The prime [...]