Should the Met be just for #London? Why is political accountability for policing in the capital such a mess? How should it be sorted out? And would that improve how the city is policed? My guest was former Sadiq Khan policy chief @nickbowes.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAWI... #truelondon

John Vane: On Chiswell Street, Sun Street and Silk Street Centuries of London history are combined and condensed in streets where Hackney meets Islington meets the Square Mile

Three London streets very close to Liverpool Street station provide a wealth of traces of the capital's history. Walk down them and you're following in the footsteps of Oliver Twist: www.onlondon.co.uk/john-vane-on.... #london #truelondon

Perhaps London's most moving memorial - Frank Meisler's Kindertransport: The Arrival at Liverpool Street station. #holocaust #london #truelondon

Walks, talks and doves for peace in London's Queen's Park A small, local, interfaith initiative in the north west of the city is sending a large message to the rest of the capital and the world

Took me a few days but I finally wrote up this good news story from the north west of the capital. Wouldn't it be nice if the doves idea caught on? www.onlondon.co.uk/walks-talks-... #london #truelondon

Lots of Big Media coverage of Sadiq Khan speech about immigration at today's @thefabians.bsky.social conference: www.itv.com/news/london/.... I was there and did an "in conversation" session with him straight after. My reflections on that coming in next few days. #london #truelondon @london.gov.uk

On London Extra: No more dole queues, please Unemployment is up. Plus borough elections intel, congestion meets democracy in my back yard, London schools in the old (and older) days and more

On education, (un)employment now and in the 1980s, borough elections (Lewisham dept), a fractious yet inspiring local ward forum about a traffic management scheme and more. Includes where I had my lunch on Wednesday: davehillonlondon.substack.com/p/on-london-... #london #truelondon

The chairman of Reform UK recently pontificated that London has no sense of community (not like in the old days, etc). That wasn't my impression when attending this lovely multi-faith gathering earlier today in the Queens Park ward of Brent, complete with doves of peace. #london #truelondon

The first True London podcast of 2026 is out, starring @lewisbaston.bsky.social taking an early, widescreen look at the forthcoming #London borough elections. These will tell a story about the capital's electors as rich and varied as the city itself: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb3c.... #truelondon

On London Extra: Global boroughs Transcending boundaries, past and present. Plus pothole rating dispute frenzy, Tories target Kent Reform (well, some of them) more on crime stats and, well, more.

London borough politics are about everything from bins and potholes, to the state of parties nationally, to sending messages about international issues. This is not new, as my latest On London Extra recalls: davehillonlondon.substack.com/p/on-london-... #london #truelondon

"Dave, there's a parakeet in the garden," said my wife from the room below. I looked, I snapped and suddenly...there were two! #london #truelondon

John Vane: William Boyd's Armadillo café A vivid description in his 1998 novel captures how the capital has changed yet stayed the same

A London café scene in William's Boyd's 1998 novel Armadillo takes you back to smokier times in the capital: www.onlondon.co.uk/john-vane-wi... #london #truelondon

On London Extra: Make the suburbs smile A challenge for the city's Tories. Plus Laila Cunningham fails far-Right purity test, Oxford Street signalling issues, a Green defection and selection and much more

Latest On London Extra considers how Tories can save themselves in the suburbs, picks superficial highlights from first Oxford St board meeting, reports Laila Cunningham failing far-Right purity test and more. Good value, I reckon: davehillonlondon.substack.com/p/on-london-... #london #truelondon

Labour should get behind all UK cities – including its biggest one A government in need of a unifying, upbeat story should embrace every urban area in its national renewal mission

Now on my personal Substack: davehillonlondon.substack.com/p/labour-sho... #london #truelondon

On London Extra: All change at Liverpool Street What next for Britain's busiest station? Plus the hybrid challenge to Labour in Newham, new opinion polls, Soho in glorious colour and more.

Latest On London Extra looks at why Liverpool Street needs big change (and will probably get it), the Momentumite/Reform Lite combo threatening Labour in Newham, latest polling, Soho In Colour and more: davehillonlondon.substack.com/p/on-london-.... #london #truelondon

Elin Morgan: The Preacher of Forest Gate The fate of Peter Laszlo Peri's sculpture of John Wesley is uncertain, reflecting risks that too often face public art

Lovely new piece for OnLondon by @nilebackwards.bsky.social. It's about public art and its title is The Preacher of Forest Gate: www.onlondon.co.uk/elin-morgan-... #london #truelondon

Bus service decline is making life harder for poorer Londoners Addressing shrinking demand for a public transport mode that is vital for the capital must be a top priority for TfL

My piece about the 10-year decline of London's bus service now republished on my personal Substack: davehillonlondon.substack.com/p/bus-servic.... #london #transport #truelondon #buses

Dave Hill On London: Politics, Places, People | Substack The politics, development and culture of the UK capital. Click to read Dave Hill On London: Politics, Places, People, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.

Latest On London Extra looks at Attenborough's lovely tribute to the wild city, Farage peddling used & discredited "crime miracle" goods, GB News as Trump's anti-London lie laundry, the capital's low vaccination rates & more. Available via Substack: davehillonlondon.substack.com #london #truelondon

Had dinner in the West End with one of those newly-honoured people last night. Not saying which one. #london #truelondon

If you haven't yet read this piece for OnLondon, do it now. #london #truelondon

On London Extra: Thank you A display of gratitude. Plus Farage's borough elections big talk, the latest from On London, New Year honours and a bit more

The final edition of On London Extra of 2025. Final day of discount offer for new paying subscribers: davehillonlondon.substack.com/p/on-london-... #london #truelondon

Camden knowledge, old and new London's population is getting older. What does that mean for the city?

Great article by @davehillonlondon.bsky.social well worth a read.

More and more older people are living in the capital. I met some who live in the hip and groovy borough of #camden www.onlondon.co.uk/camden-knowl... #london #truelondon

On London 2025: The Year Reviewed The up, the downs, the dramas and the avalanche of untruths

On London 2025 Review. The ups, the downs, the dramas, the avalanche of untruths: www.onlondon.co.uk/on-london-20... #london #truelondon #nigelfarage #donaldtrump @richardbrown.bsky.social @charleswright57.bsky.social @lewisbaston.bsky.social @mrjamesob.bsky.social @pickardje.bsky.social

Londoners' belief in positive change could hamper Reform UK They have weaker social ties than other English regions' but their stronger sense of civic power may frustrate Nigel Farage's party in May

This, just launched, might interest you: www.onlondon.co.uk/richard-brow... #london #truelondon

To put it very, very, very mildly indeed. Thank you, FT. #london #truelondon

Merry Christmas 2025! On London sends best wishes to all its readers

Merry Christmas to all! www.onlondon.co.uk/merry-christ... #london #truelondon

John Vane: Up West, Way Back When The West End has always offered a unique and sometimes nefarious mix of possibilities, comforts and joys

London's West End: up and downs, culture, commerce and criminality down the centuries: www.onlondon.co.uk/john-vane-up... #london #truelondon

On London Extra: It's Quiz Time! Twelve Questions for Christmas. Plus why Nigel Farage won't share in the capital's seasonal goodwill, and the latest from OnLondon.

On London Extra brings you the very best of the World's Greatest London Quiz! davehillonlondon.substack.com/p/on-london-.... #london #truelondon @londonactor.bsky.social @lewisbaston.bsky.social @charleswright57.bsky.social @richardbrown.bsky.social @jollyjourno.bsky.social

Julie Hamill: Sparkling steps into a London Christmas - OnLondon Have you ever been to the hidden restaurant at Selfridges? Alto by San Carlo is only accessible via a particular lift on the ground floor. You rise to the top and arrive at the restaurant reception vi...

In which @juliehamill.bsky.social steps into Christmas: www.onlondon.co.uk/julie-hamill... #london #truelondon

Camden knowledge, old and new London's population is getting older. What does that mean for the city?

More and more older people are living in the capital. I met some who live in the hip and groovy borough of #camden www.onlondon.co.uk/camden-knowl... #london #truelondon

Just back from seeing this year's @hackneyempire.bsky.social panto! Oh yes I am! #london #truelondon