Daniel Reast
@danreast.bsky.social
Senior Research Officer at Centre for London. Views my own. Local government, planning, housing, local economies and much more. Also found in Metro, Big Issue, Independent, Mirror et al.
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It's pretty incredible to challenge the Oxford Street pedestrianisation on environmental grounds and laughable to call out its impact on noise pollution. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Westminster Council calls for traffic-free Oxford Street impact assessment
The famous central London shopping street is due to be pedestrianised later this year.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 29, 2026 at 9:22 AM
It's pretty incredible to challenge the Oxford Street pedestrianisation on environmental grounds and laughable to call out its impact on noise pollution. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
London has had the strategic power of call-in for nearly 20 years and it's had a pretty significant though potentially underused impact on planning decisions, mostly always being an approval in the end. It's not a bad thing to have a regional layer to unblock the pipes. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Mayors to get powers to overrule local councils on planning decisions
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook said the change was "essential" for helping mayors "effectively deliver new homes".
www.bbc.co.uk
August 23, 2026 at 6:25 AM
London has had the strategic power of call-in for nearly 20 years and it's had a pretty significant though potentially underused impact on planning decisions, mostly always being an approval in the end. It's not a bad thing to have a regional layer to unblock the pipes. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Very funny that the social media reaction has been more angry towards the emergency alert rather than the cause of wildfires.
August 14, 2026 at 7:08 PM
Very funny that the social media reaction has been more angry towards the emergency alert rather than the cause of wildfires.
A few observations on Clacton byelection.
One, Lee Anderson et al openly saying they trust private security over police with telling truth about safety should overshadow the result. Pretty outrageous.
Two, it didn't deserve the level of attention it had in media. Deprivation in seaside towns does.
One, Lee Anderson et al openly saying they trust private security over police with telling truth about safety should overshadow the result. Pretty outrageous.
Two, it didn't deserve the level of attention it had in media. Deprivation in seaside towns does.
August 14, 2026 at 12:23 PM
A few observations on Clacton byelection.
One, Lee Anderson et al openly saying they trust private security over police with telling truth about safety should overshadow the result. Pretty outrageous.
Two, it didn't deserve the level of attention it had in media. Deprivation in seaside towns does.
One, Lee Anderson et al openly saying they trust private security over police with telling truth about safety should overshadow the result. Pretty outrageous.
Two, it didn't deserve the level of attention it had in media. Deprivation in seaside towns does.
Great day all round for fans of vertical drinking. Personally I'm a fan of parallel drinking where I have two pints from two different pubs.
August 6, 2026 at 11:02 PM
Great day all round for fans of vertical drinking. Personally I'm a fan of parallel drinking where I have two pints from two different pubs.
Does make me think that the reported concerns in Lib Dem world about lacklustre campaigning are ultimately meaningless when the Tories are pushing right and the Greens are going left.
Davey will snag more seats from simply just *being there*.
Davey will snag more seats from simply just *being there*.
That Joshua Bonehill-Paine is a suitable Tory candidate but Grant Shapps and Gavin Barwell have been excluded is quite a good indicator of how many seats the Tories will realistically regain at the next election.
August 5, 2026 at 9:47 AM
Does make me think that the reported concerns in Lib Dem world about lacklustre campaigning are ultimately meaningless when the Tories are pushing right and the Greens are going left.
Davey will snag more seats from simply just *being there*.
Davey will snag more seats from simply just *being there*.
Reading the big Burnham Cabinet statement on devolution and I'm thinking: what about London?
4 in 10 tax pounds come from London, so will the same fiscal devo powers apply for the capital? A cynical person (me) is expecting London to have less local control as a result of this tax base...
4 in 10 tax pounds come from London, so will the same fiscal devo powers apply for the capital? A cynical person (me) is expecting London to have less local control as a result of this tax base...
August 1, 2026 at 10:16 AM
Reading the big Burnham Cabinet statement on devolution and I'm thinking: what about London?
4 in 10 tax pounds come from London, so will the same fiscal devo powers apply for the capital? A cynical person (me) is expecting London to have less local control as a result of this tax base...
4 in 10 tax pounds come from London, so will the same fiscal devo powers apply for the capital? A cynical person (me) is expecting London to have less local control as a result of this tax base...
I've not yet read the draft London Plan and will be writing a full response. But as basic courtesy, it would be really good if some stakeholder voices were constructive instead of being toxic and inflammatory.
It's literally years of work by dedicated officials - be a critical friend, not a bully.
It's literally years of work by dedicated officials - be a critical friend, not a bully.
July 30, 2026 at 10:55 PM
I've not yet read the draft London Plan and will be writing a full response. But as basic courtesy, it would be really good if some stakeholder voices were constructive instead of being toxic and inflammatory.
It's literally years of work by dedicated officials - be a critical friend, not a bully.
It's literally years of work by dedicated officials - be a critical friend, not a bully.
There's a few challenges for Burnham's new vocational education push. But for me, the political language for these announcements falls at the first hurdle by trying to pit technical education against university.
If the offer is valid and strong on its own, you shouldn't need to punch HE down.
If the offer is valid and strong on its own, you shouldn't need to punch HE down.
July 28, 2026 at 4:58 PM
There's a few challenges for Burnham's new vocational education push. But for me, the political language for these announcements falls at the first hurdle by trying to pit technical education against university.
If the offer is valid and strong on its own, you shouldn't need to punch HE down.
If the offer is valid and strong on its own, you shouldn't need to punch HE down.
Replacing stamp duty and council tax with a single flat rate without any regional control or variation could plunge thousands of households in London and the South East into poverty after housing costs. That's not what equalisation should mean.
July 26, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Replacing stamp duty and council tax with a single flat rate without any regional control or variation could plunge thousands of households in London and the South East into poverty after housing costs. That's not what equalisation should mean.
Seen a few lefties calling out Burnham for being 'unprofessional' by making social content instead of solving problems.
"Mince is £5, why is he on TikTok" etc etc. It's a fair challenge.
But every PM since Harold Wilson has dabbled in popular culture. Social media is now part of the profession.
"Mince is £5, why is he on TikTok" etc etc. It's a fair challenge.
But every PM since Harold Wilson has dabbled in popular culture. Social media is now part of the profession.
July 25, 2026 at 10:53 PM
Seen a few lefties calling out Burnham for being 'unprofessional' by making social content instead of solving problems.
"Mince is £5, why is he on TikTok" etc etc. It's a fair challenge.
But every PM since Harold Wilson has dabbled in popular culture. Social media is now part of the profession.
"Mince is £5, why is he on TikTok" etc etc. It's a fair challenge.
But every PM since Harold Wilson has dabbled in popular culture. Social media is now part of the profession.
Data and issue aside, surely you can present these stats and get the point across without looking like you're on uppers.
Enten on the 67 point swing (!!!) against Israel among Americans: "We're not just talking about the Democratic base anymore. The general electorate has turned against Israel. This is not just a left issue. It's an American issue. The trend line is unbelievable."
July 24, 2026 at 11:40 PM
Data and issue aside, surely you can present these stats and get the point across without looking like you're on uppers.
I'm going to fight against the establishment.*
*Excess, painful and exhausting heatwaves
*Excess, painful and exhausting heatwaves
July 9, 2026 at 4:15 PM
I'm going to fight against the establishment.*
*Excess, painful and exhausting heatwaves
*Excess, painful and exhausting heatwaves
The simplicity of a flat rate, no-nonsense levy of 1% on property values collected by the Treasury may be politically palatable but result in pretty vast imbalances between regions. Far from reducing the cash cow status which London & SE has from SDLT, a flat rate could deepen it.
July 7, 2026 at 7:50 AM
The simplicity of a flat rate, no-nonsense levy of 1% on property values collected by the Treasury may be politically palatable but result in pretty vast imbalances between regions. Far from reducing the cash cow status which London & SE has from SDLT, a flat rate could deepen it.
Lots of speculation about how Burnham would implement a PPT. There's several ways to do it but one obstacle: London.
As such, designing a PPT needs to be nuanced, costed and flexible.
In @centreforlondon.bsky.social's latest report we did just that.
centreforlondon.org/publication/...
As such, designing a PPT needs to be nuanced, costed and flexible.
In @centreforlondon.bsky.social's latest report we did just that.
centreforlondon.org/publication/...
Delivering the Homes London Needs: what will it take?
London’s housing crisis is arguably the greatest challenge facing the capital. It touches the lives of almost every Londoner. Yet, our housing system is failing to meet need – destabilising...
centreforlondon.org
June 30, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Lots of speculation about how Burnham would implement a PPT. There's several ways to do it but one obstacle: London.
As such, designing a PPT needs to be nuanced, costed and flexible.
In @centreforlondon.bsky.social's latest report we did just that.
centreforlondon.org/publication/...
As such, designing a PPT needs to be nuanced, costed and flexible.
In @centreforlondon.bsky.social's latest report we did just that.
centreforlondon.org/publication/...
Labour has previously told resigning Tory PMs to hold a general election.
Tories have previously told resigning Labour PMs to hold a general election.
Every party does this.
Is it wrong not to? Maybe.
Is it how our parliamentary system works? Nope.
Change it or complain about something else.
Tories have previously told resigning Labour PMs to hold a general election.
Every party does this.
Is it wrong not to? Maybe.
Is it how our parliamentary system works? Nope.
Change it or complain about something else.
June 28, 2026 at 10:55 AM
Labour has previously told resigning Tory PMs to hold a general election.
Tories have previously told resigning Labour PMs to hold a general election.
Every party does this.
Is it wrong not to? Maybe.
Is it how our parliamentary system works? Nope.
Change it or complain about something else.
Tories have previously told resigning Labour PMs to hold a general election.
Every party does this.
Is it wrong not to? Maybe.
Is it how our parliamentary system works? Nope.
Change it or complain about something else.
Not often I read opinion pieces with such contempt, vitriol and misogyny as this one regarding the proposed reforms to cohabitation rights.
Critique the changes, sure, but this is just pure, sexist polemic - a terrible choice for commission.
conservativehome.com/2026/06/23/c...
Critique the changes, sure, but this is just pure, sexist polemic - a terrible choice for commission.
conservativehome.com/2026/06/23/c...
Charles Amos: Your ex-girlfriend may soon be allowed to legally steal your furniture | Conservative Home
Lammy’s proposed reforms simply amount to legalising theft by long-term girlfriends from their long-term property-owning boyfriends. Every argument in favour of it, from fairness as household contribu...
conservativehome.com
June 23, 2026 at 11:40 PM
Not often I read opinion pieces with such contempt, vitriol and misogyny as this one regarding the proposed reforms to cohabitation rights.
Critique the changes, sure, but this is just pure, sexist polemic - a terrible choice for commission.
conservativehome.com/2026/06/23/c...
Critique the changes, sure, but this is just pure, sexist polemic - a terrible choice for commission.
conservativehome.com/2026/06/23/c...
Objections to a licensing application for Popeyes Chicken on Tottenham Court Road to stay open until 2am are very... questionable. www.standard.co.uk/news/london/...
June 9, 2026 at 11:02 PM
Objections to a licensing application for Popeyes Chicken on Tottenham Court Road to stay open until 2am are very... questionable. www.standard.co.uk/news/london/...
Extending Liz Line to Abbey Wood rapidly accelerated growth and development in Greenwich & Bexley, far exceeding TfL's expectations.
SE London is very under-connected and cutting services is a surefire way to endorse decline. Places like Erith, Welling, Thamesmead, Bexleyheath: left high and dry.
SE London is very under-connected and cutting services is a surefire way to endorse decline. Places like Erith, Welling, Thamesmead, Bexleyheath: left high and dry.
A raft of cuts coming up on Thameslink weeks after the Dept For Transport take over. Greenwich line services dropping for much of the day to one train per hour over the summer
www.fromthemurkydepths.co.uk/2026/05/24/t...
www.fromthemurkydepths.co.uk/2026/05/24/t...
Thameslink could cut numerous services on the Greenwich line this summer - Murky Depths
Hundreds of trains over the summer could be cut by Thameslink along the Greenwich line severely reducing services and rail connections
www.fromthemurkydepths.co.uk
May 25, 2026 at 1:18 PM
Extending Liz Line to Abbey Wood rapidly accelerated growth and development in Greenwich & Bexley, far exceeding TfL's expectations.
SE London is very under-connected and cutting services is a surefire way to endorse decline. Places like Erith, Welling, Thamesmead, Bexleyheath: left high and dry.
SE London is very under-connected and cutting services is a surefire way to endorse decline. Places like Erith, Welling, Thamesmead, Bexleyheath: left high and dry.
New report from @centreforlondon.bsky.social - Delivering the Homes London Needs: What will it take? 👇
A bold response to London's housing crisis. Radically expand social housing. Tackle demand & distribution inequality. Make it easier to build viable housing.
centreforlondon.org/publication/...
A bold response to London's housing crisis. Radically expand social housing. Tackle demand & distribution inequality. Make it easier to build viable housing.
centreforlondon.org/publication/...
Delivering the Homes London Needs: what will it take?
London’s housing crisis is arguably the greatest challenge facing the capital. It touches the lives of almost every Londoner. Yet, our housing system is failing to meet need – destabilising...
centreforlondon.org
May 20, 2026 at 8:25 AM
New report from @centreforlondon.bsky.social - Delivering the Homes London Needs: What will it take? 👇
A bold response to London's housing crisis. Radically expand social housing. Tackle demand & distribution inequality. Make it easier to build viable housing.
centreforlondon.org/publication/...
A bold response to London's housing crisis. Radically expand social housing. Tackle demand & distribution inequality. Make it easier to build viable housing.
centreforlondon.org/publication/...
Well that's six months of government work effectively neutered by one by-election and a (if successful) subsequent leadership election.
Maybe it's a good thing the King's Speech was a bit boring.
Maybe it's a good thing the King's Speech was a bit boring.
May 14, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Well that's six months of government work effectively neutered by one by-election and a (if successful) subsequent leadership election.
Maybe it's a good thing the King's Speech was a bit boring.
Maybe it's a good thing the King's Speech was a bit boring.
The rhetoric about £10 pints in London is complete ragebait.
Of course it's a tenner for an Amstel at the Connaught Hotel in Mayfair, have you been to a normal pub? Maybe outside central London?
www.telegraph.co.uk/money/consum...
Of course it's a tenner for an Amstel at the Connaught Hotel in Mayfair, have you been to a normal pub? Maybe outside central London?
www.telegraph.co.uk/money/consum...
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www.telegraph.co.uk
May 4, 2026 at 3:22 PM
The rhetoric about £10 pints in London is complete ragebait.
Of course it's a tenner for an Amstel at the Connaught Hotel in Mayfair, have you been to a normal pub? Maybe outside central London?
www.telegraph.co.uk/money/consum...
Of course it's a tenner for an Amstel at the Connaught Hotel in Mayfair, have you been to a normal pub? Maybe outside central London?
www.telegraph.co.uk/money/consum...
Reposted by Daniel Reast
realistic people: period products should be free for students
men in their 50s: if girls get free tampons, my 21 year old son Brandon shouldn't have to pay for nunchuck lessons
men in their 50s: if girls get free tampons, my 21 year old son Brandon shouldn't have to pay for nunchuck lessons
August 6, 2023 at 7:04 AM
realistic people: period products should be free for students
men in their 50s: if girls get free tampons, my 21 year old son Brandon shouldn't have to pay for nunchuck lessons
men in their 50s: if girls get free tampons, my 21 year old son Brandon shouldn't have to pay for nunchuck lessons
Us Brits are experts in the art of foot shooting, but even this would be a remarkable (and painful) act of self-harm.
BREAKING: Kamala Harris just gave the clearest signal yet she’ll run for president again in 2028.
“Listen, I might, I might. I’m thinking about it,” Harris told the Rev. Al Sharpton at the National Action Network convention.
“Listen, I might, I might. I’m thinking about it,” Harris told the Rev. Al Sharpton at the National Action Network convention.
Harris gives her clearest signal she is mounting a 2028 presidential bid
She has toyed with the idea before, but her comments Friday took on a new meaning in front of an audience full of Black power brokers.
www.politico.com
April 10, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Us Brits are experts in the art of foot shooting, but even this would be a remarkable (and painful) act of self-harm.