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 28 Articles

Why are people pooping on the pavements of the Square Mile?

Opinion

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?

Opinion

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?

Opinion

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 [...]
Mayor Polanski? It’s more likely than you think…

October 30, 2025

With their polling surging and their membership growing rapidly, the Green Party could be contenders to take control of City Hill in 2028, argues James Ford The Green Party are having a moment. In the few weeks since their feisty new leader, Zack Polanski AM, was elected, the Greens have been making waves. Party membership [...]
Cutting affordable housing quotas is a slap in the face for Labour voters

October 20, 2025

If Labour is no longer in favour of building affordable housing, what exactly is the party for, asks James Ford.
Is Sadiq trying to gaslight Londoners about crime?

October 16, 2025

The Mayor is desperate to convince Londoners that crime is falling, despite all the evidence to the contrary, writes James Ford London does not have a crime problem; it has a misinformation problem. That is the assertion of the capital’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan. Clearly wounded by President Trump’s recent claim that “crime in London is [...]
Digital ID cards are a sign of a Groundhog Day government that’s out of ideas

October 2, 2025

Digital ID cards – or ‘Brit cards’ as Starmer calls them – are a Blair-era policy being recycled at the worst possible time, says James Ford It has been estimated that there are no fewer than 138 movie sequels currently in production. By any estimate, that is a lot of sequels. Even Homer Simpson is [...]
London needs a shadow Mayor

September 19, 2025

The Conservatives weak response to last week’s tube strikes proves the party needs to select their candidate for City Hall sooner rather than later, writes James Ford The recent tube strikes should have taught Londoners three important truths: that tube drivers really love Legoland, that Lime bikes are not for the feint hearted, and that [...]

Sport business quiz 2025: Test your knowledge with City AM’s topical teasers

Sport business quiz 2025: Test your knowledge with City AM’s topical teasers

Here are the biggest, best cultural moments of 2025

By: James Ford

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