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S4 Ep31: Prof Tony Travers previews the upcoming London local elections
In the latest episode of the Better Places Podcast, Concilio’s Sam Griffiths is joined by Professor Tony Travers of the London School of Economics, to discuss the upcoming local elections in London in May 2026. Tony is the leading academic expert on London’s government and politics, and this fascinating discussion explores the forces changing London politically and how they are making the elections next year increasingly hard to predict. The topics Tony and Sam cover include: - How is the rise of so-called ‘Pro-Gaza independent’ groups in parts of East London going to challenge Labour’s traditional dominance in these areas, and what ideology drives these new campaigners? - How will the new Green party leader Zack Polanski, and his energetic brand of ‘eco-populism’, impact the race and tempt younger votes away from Labour? - Are the Liberal Democrats poised to make gains, not just in their traditional strongholds in South-West London but also in the centre of the city? - Can the Conservatives stage a fightback and take back control of their former ‘flagship’ councils like Westminster and Wandsworth? - What will the Reform UK factor be? How will Farage’s upstart party disrupt the contest and what councils could they win? - And finally, what does this upheaval mean for planning and development in the capital? This is an indispensable briefing on the current state of the race to control London’s councils next year, and if you want to understand how planning and development could change in the capital as a result. Concilio will shortly be launching the first in a series of London local election reports – giving you data-led analysis of the key council races, the latest news on campaigns and candidates, and our analysis of what it could mean for the property sector. To sign up to receive the first report when it is released, please click here or email [email protected].
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S4 Ep30: Simon Ricketts and Nick Dines discuss the Government and GLA 'Homes for London' proposals
The UK’s #1 ranked panning lawyer, Simon Ricketts, joins the podcast to discuss the Government’s package of support for housebuilding in London. In the latest episode of Concilio’s Better Places Podcast we were joined by the UK’s #1 ranked Planning Lawyer, Simon Ricketts, to discuss the Government and Sadiq Khan’s announcement of 23rd October on a series of measures that can support housebuilding in London. The housing crisis in London is real, with Molior reporting that private construction starts totalled just 3,248 homes in the first three quarters of 2025 and likely 5,000 for the year. One in six construction projects have halted whilst there were only 5,933 new home sales over Q1 to Q3. Alongside this, Build-to-Rent starts are drying up, with Molior predicting that BTR completions are set to disappear after 2027. The human impact of this is stark. More than 130,000 households are living in temporary accommodation in London and the cost of this has led to a £740m black hole for local authorities. Concilio’s MD Nick Dines and Simon look at the Government’s proposed reforms: Time-limited planning route that enables developers to secure planning permission for schemes on private land that provides at least 20% affordable without requiring an upfront viability assessment. This will qualify for Fast Track and be eligible for grant. Temporary relief from the Community Infrastructure Levy, covering 50% of the borough CIL charge for schemes delivering at least 20% affordable. Adjusting London Plan design guidance on dual aspect requirements, dwellings per core and cycle storage provision. Enhanced Mayoral planning powers, giving the Mayor the authority over 50 unit schemes, the ability to call in 1,000 sqm Green Belt and MOL and allow written rep call ins. An initial £322m allocation to establish a City Hall Developer Investment Fund Simon explains his understanding on the timings involved and looks at four different scenarios for developers: Existing planning permission that is unimplemented or is a phased consent Application approved by Committee yet does not have the Section 106 signed An application that has been submitted but has not been determined An application not yet submitted The podcast is a fascinating, must-listen episode if you want to understand how significant the changes coming to planning in London are.
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S4 Ep29: Concilio x JL Partners: How Reform Can Win a Majority in 2029
In the latest episode of Concilio’s Better Places Podcast, we sat down with James Johnson, Founding Partner of JL Partners, to explore how Reform can win a majority in 2029. James previously served as the Senior Opinion Research and Strategy Advisor to Prime Minister Theresa May. JL Partners are one of the UK's most accurate pollsters (and one of the very few to project a win for Donald Trump in the 2024 US election). James delves into the explosive rise of Reform UK, sharing Friderichs Advisory Partners and JL Partners latest in-depth polling and ground-level voter analysis data that reveals why Reform is the current polling frontrunner. Our discussion explores the real reasons for Reform’s success and the unprecendented drop in support behind the Labour government and the Conservative Party. We explore: The Winter Fuel Allowance Effect: Why a year-old policy U-turn is still the most-mentioned reason for Labour's decline. The Reform Voter Profile: The key motivations of the "Pessimistic Patriots," and why their concerns are pragmatic issues like public services and housing—not the fringe right agendas that dominate online discourse. The Path to Power: The strategic roadmap showing how Reform's current appeal is perfectly aligned with the First Past the Post system to deliver a massive seat dividend and a potential majority. The Competence Trap: Why, in 2025, voters prioritize a party that shares their values and promises to get things done over one that simply projects a traditional image of competence. This episode is an essential listen for anyone seeking a unfashionable take on the seismic shifts shaping British politics and the true forces driving Reform UK's ascent up the polls and potentially, into power. And stay tuned! Next week, we will release the second edition of our Inside Reform report series, exploring Reform’s expanding footprint in local government. The report will highlight early moves by councils under their control, as well as controversial policy calls from mayoral leaders, and shine a light on the party's gains across the country in the past month's by-elections. Join our mailing list now to receive our next report direct to your inbox.
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S4 Ep28: Making London Fun Again
In Our Public Spaces, High Streets & the Experience Economy At this year’s Labour Party Conference, one of the key themes was the urgent need to build more homes and restore confidence in the market. But as our panel discussed, London’s future isn’t just about housing numbers - it’s also about placemaking, culture, and the experience economy. Hosted by Concilio’s Yiannis Sophocleous and Siddo Dwyer, we asked: How do we Make London Fun Again? Our brilliant panel: Cllr Geoff Barraclough - Cabinet Member for Planning & Economic Development, Westminster City Council Cllr Portia Mwangangye - Cabinet Member for Leisure, Parks & Young People, Southwark Council Antonia Stratford - Head of Public Affairs, Heart of London Business Alliance Graeme Craig - Chief Executive, Places for London Key takeaways: London’s diversity is its greatest strength - celebrate and protect it. Housing and community building are investments in London’s and the UK’s future. Young people and diverse communities must be central to consultations and policy. The West End’s experience economy is pivotal to London’s global standing - business, culture, and government need to work hand-in-hand to keep it competitive. Don’t miss this conversation – listen now!
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S4 Ep27: Mete Coban MBE on a greener London
London’s Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, Mete Coban MBE joins Concilio’s Account Director Siddo Dwyer to discuss the future of a greener London. In the latest episode of Concilio’s Better Places podcast, Account Director Siddo Dwyer sits down with Mete Coban MBE, London’s Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy. From growing up in a council flat in Hackney to shaping London’s city-wide response to the climate crisis, Mete brings both lived experience and bold vision to one of the capital’s most urgent challenges. Previously Hackney’s youngest ever councillor and a trailblazing Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, he now leads City Hall’s work to clean up London’s air and rivers, decarbonise its buildings, and deliver a just transition to net zero. The conversation explores what it means to deliver climate action at the scale of a global city while keeping communities, fairness, and placemaking at the heart of that mission. We discuss London’s retrofit revolution, the drive to make rivers swimmable within a decade, and how planning and investment can support greener, healthier neighbourhoods. Mete also shares his thoughts on local leadership, community power, and why climate justice must be about lowering bills, creating good jobs, and improving quality of life for those who’ve historically been left behind. This episode offers a hopeful, grounded take on what London’s green transition looks like in practice - from the policy levers at City Hall to the front doors of Londoners’ homes - and the leadership it will take to get us there. Don’t miss this conversation – listen now!
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