By: James Ford

James Ford is a former adviser to Mayor of London Boris Johnson, specialising in transport, environment and technology policy. He subsequently advised several blue-chip companies in the capital including London City Airport, the Ministry of Sound and the London Chamber of Commerce & Industry. He has appeared on LBC and writes regularly for Conservative Home.

All 33 Articles

£40bn to restore Parliament? Maybe Guy Fawkes had the right idea…

Opinion

The reported £40bn cost of refurbishing the Palace of Westminster is not a serious proposal – it’s a distraction designed to outrage, writes James Ford We are all familiar with the Goldilocks principle of restaurant wine lists. Every wine list is part marketing ploy, part social gauntlet and pure psychological trickery. It is designed to [...]
Women-only Tube carriages are a terrible, unworkable idea

Opinion

Sex offences on public transport in London are soaring, but the solution is better policing and security across the network not voluntary gender segregation, argues James Ford Harold Macmillan, in a speech in 1961, said that the Liberals (as they were still then called) “offer a mixture of sound and original ideas…unfortunately none of the [...]
Northern Powerhouse Rail has more to do with votes than growth

Opinion

With Northern Powerhouse Rail now given the green light, the North-South divide now benefits the North over London, writes James Ford I have long thought that the North-South divide was far more cultural than economic. One end of the country prefers gravy on their chips and chooses to eat them watching Coronation Street whilst the [...]

Could Reform’s Laila Cunningham take London?

January 15, 2026

Reform UK seem to be serious about winning in London…is it time for London to start taking Reform UK seriously? Asks James Ford We are barely half way through January, and already Reform UK are having a good year. In a single, blistering week they unveiled Laila Cunningham as their candidate to challenge Sadiq Khan, [...]
Got an oyster card? Then you’d better get used to paying more for less

January 8, 2026

If freezing rail fares is vital for cutting the cost of living, why are transport costs in London rising sharply? Asks James Ford As part of his latest, desperate relaunch, beleaguered Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed to focus on cutting the cost of living for Britons this year. One of the key planks of [...]
Why are people pooping on the pavements of the Square Mile?

December 23, 2025

Why is the City of London running an advertising campaign reminding people not to despoil the streets at Christmas? Asks James Ford The City of London has many ancient and arcane traditions. The City Corporation, the Square Mile’s local council, can trace its roots back to Anglo-Saxon times. Not only is the Corporation led by [...]
Could Zack Polanski be the Conservatives’ useful idiot?

December 15, 2025

Rather than being scared of Zack Polanski, perhaps those on the centre right should learn to stop worrying and embrace the Green Party leader’s potential to unseat Labour, argues James Ford Zack Polanski is many things: failed actor, dodgy hypnotist, one-time chorister, former Liberal Democrat and Rizzle Kicks fan. He is also extremely popular with [...]
The Debate: Are Londoners safer drivers?

December 10, 2025

A new survey has found that Londoners cause more accidents on country roads than their rural counterparts. But are sophisticated urbanites really more reckless drivers? YES: Rural roads are a deathtrap Picture this: It’s five o’clock on a December afternoon, completely pitch black, and a giant Rangerover comes hurtling round the corner, right wheel just [...]
London is getting the wrong new railway

November 25, 2025

The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) extension to Thamesmead is the wrong railway, at the wrong price, for all the wrong political reasons, argues James Ford Ooops. Rachel Reeves is about to shoot herself in the foot. Again. I thought about keeping quiet about this imminent act of self-harm. Afterall, not only did Napoleon counsel that [...]
Sadiq Khan is no Zohran Mamdani

November 13, 2025

Mamdani is a young, rising star with no record to defend. By 2028, Sadiq Khan will have been Mayor of London for 12 years and spent a decade in Parliament before that. With his record at City Hall, Khan will need to offer more than the vague promise of ‘hope’, says James Ford Last week [...]

Aberdeen shares slide as outflows widen

Cadillac to leverage US identity to grow F1 sponsorship portfolio

Psst… This is how to ski Les 3 Vallées without the crowds

By: James Ford

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