What will the new government’s built environment ambitions mean for London? We asked for a briefing from the experts at LCA to find out.
It’s been an exciting year for national and London mayoral elections reshaping the political landscape, but what could it mean for built environment delivery in the capital?
Future of London recently teamed up with Future of London member, LCA , to host an exclusive politics breakfast to help our mentor network explore these questions and get ready for the changes to come. Thanks again to LCA for the insightful and generous hosting! We heard from:
- Jane Groom, Partner & Co-Managing Director, Politics Engagement & Planning
- Nick Bowes, Managing Director, Insight
Jane kicked off by introducing LCA’s work across the sector and highlighting its key political and industry relationships. Nick then took us through elections, results and implications for London’s built environment.
Mayoral elections
In winning the election, Labour’s Sadiq Khan became London’s first three-term mayor. He also secured the biggest absolute margin in a mayoral election, with 275,288 votes and Labour secured a 3.2% vote swing from the Conservatives.
Future of London team
Lisa Taylor, Executive Director, Future of London/Future of Greater Manchester (organiser)
To find out about becoming a Future of London mentor or exclusive mentor events contact Leaders Programme Manager Olivia de Vanssay olivia@futureoflondon.org.uk
In recent times, inner London has leaned to Labour with outer London leaning to the Conservatives but in this election all boroughs except Brent and Harrow saw a swing to Labour, and it gained the super constituencies of West Central and South West for the first time.
It’s worth noting that throughout the campaign, the Tories “put all their eggs in one basket”, making opposition to the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expansion their number one issue. Nick called ULEZ the “dog that didn’t bite”, with polls putting it low on people’s priorities below cost of living, crime, health and housing.
In the simultaneous London Assembly elections, the Greens became the third largest party. This, along with the Green votes lent to Sadiq Khan in the Mayoral contest possibly prompted his post victory green suit.
National elections
Moving onto the national picture, Nick shared that in securing victory, Labour more than doubled their MPs to 411 and won the second largest majority since since the second world war. The Liberal Democrats secured 72 MPs, their highest ever number whilst the Conservatives lost 251 MPs, securing only 121 seats.
By winning 63% of the seats but only 34% of the vote, the Labour majority is felt to be very broad but shallow: 113 seats had majorities under 5%. Labour won back the ‘red wall’ and then some, and the Liberal Democrat’s ‘A30’ strategy – winning many seats across the south-west from Cornwall to Wimbledon – proved successful as they won 12% of the votes and 11% of the seats.
Reform won only five seats – but came second in 98 constituencies, many in former industrial areas.
General election in London
London’s commuter belt was a ‘sea of blue’ before the election but both Labour and the Liberal Democrats made big inroads across the capital. In the London constituencies, Labour gained seven seats winning 59 in total, whilst the Conservatives lost 11, and for the first time ever they had single-figure MP numbers in London with nine.
With local elections in 2026 coinciding with potential mid-term doldrums for Labour, it was illuminating to consider that the Greens came second in 18 constituencies, perhaps a foretaste of the political battles to come – which raised the question: should built environment leaders be talking to Greens in London?
The new government and housing
London is well represented in the new government, with the Prime Minister, three cabinet and 17 junior ministers all being London MPs. There has been speedy movement since they came into office, with 40 bills in the King’s Speech including planning and infrastructure and the Renters’ Rights bills, although the freehold and leasehold reform bill hasn’t yet made the cut.
Continuing to the new government’s priorities for housing, planning and infrastructure, we heard about expanded home-building targets, another wave of new towns, options for the ‘grey belt’ and new rules to bring forward infrastructure investment.
We dove into details on further government announcements and priorities including net zero and recommendations arising from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry as well as the New Towns commission and new homes accelerator.
Impact for London
Specific to London, political alignment will undoubtedly lead to more harmony and less “London bashing”, though differences are still likely to exist. Enthusiasm for the devolution of powers and tax spending will likely cool with Labour now in power nationally, and arguments still exist on Brexit, infrastructure spending and rent controls.
Nick said the next steps for Sadiq would be a consultation on the new London Plan (including big increases in housing targets), negotiation on TfL’s capital funding and engagement with the new Council of Nations and Regions.