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.

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London can’t afford to let rich Nimbys block live music in Brockwell Park

May 21, 2025

Rich Nimbys are strangling the capital’s culture by blocking concerts in Brockwell Park, and the poorest Londoners will suffer the most, writes James Ford Do you remember when London was fun? Not just mildly fun, but properly and riotously so. A heaving metropolis where sweaty clubbers, ebullient party goers and merry music lovers packed themselves [...]
Sadiq Khan’s green belt U-turn is an admission of failure on housing

May 15, 2025

Sadiq Khan is spinning his plan to build on London’s green belt as a “radical change of approach”, but it’s nothing of the sort. It will have a very limited impact on housing starts during this mayoral term and may only add to the political heat around house building, says James Ford Margaret Thatcher famously [...]
Sadiq Khan is squandering the success of the Elizabeth Line

May 1, 2025

Despite the popularity and success of the Elizabeth Line, other major transport projects in the capital are in limbo, writes James Ford Everybody loves the Elizabeth Line, right? There are the sleek, open-plan trains, the breathtaking, well-designed stations and, perhaps best of all, there are the smooth and swift journey times that have created new [...]
The London taxi trade is dying, and it only has itself to blame

April 17, 2025

A new report has predicted the demise of the iconic London taxi, and Uber isn't to blame, writes James Ford.
Is Sadiq Khan finally getting something right on London’s nightlife?

March 20, 2025

It has taken eight years – and the appointment of one disastrous night czar – but Sadiq Khan is finally listening to industry when it comes to the future of London’s after hours leisure economy, writes James Ford As a former aide to the previous Mayor of London, it is very rare that I find [...]
Sadiq Khan’s plan to ‘turbocharge’ London’s economy is wilfully naive

March 3, 2025

Sadiq Khan’s London Growth Plan is an admirable and ambitious vision for the capital, but its bold projections should be taken with a pinch of salt, says James Ford When running for his historic third term last year, Sadiq Khan claimed to be the “most pro-business Mayor ever”. Now he is putting his money where [...]
A four-day week for tube drivers is a slap in the face for Londoners

November 12, 2024

Christmas has come early for tube drivers, who will now work less for more pay. But the government will regret making a deal that proves that strikes work, says James Ford More money for less work. If you’re a trade union official, that is the holy grail you are pursuing on your members’ behalf in [...]
Last orders for Amy Lame, but London still needs a night czar

October 4, 2024

Amy Lame let Londoners down but that doesn’t mean we should abolish the post of night czar altogether. There are three ways we can make sure the next person to hold the post make the capital a 24-hour city, writes James Ford After eight years in post, Amy Lame is calling time on her tenure [...]
A car-free Oxford Street does sound dreamy, but there’s a problem: buses

September 19, 2024

An Oxford Street with no cars is a charming fantasy. But ignore the "red wall of metal" at your peril, writes James Ford

Polestar 3: Swedish electric SUV delivers premium performance

Prem Rugby chiefs admit its ‘challenging’ to compete with Top 14

Polestar 3: Swedish electric SUV delivers premium performance

By: James Ford

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