#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
www.itv.com
January 24, 2026 at 3:38 PM
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
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
davehillonlondon.substack.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:59 PM
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
January 18, 2026 at 5:57 PM
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
True London: Lewis Baston on the 2026 borough elections
YouTube video by Dave Hill On London
www.youtube.com
January 17, 2026 at 10:29 AM
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
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.
davehillonlondon.substack.com
January 14, 2026 at 8:01 AM
"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
January 12, 2026 at 5:37 PM
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
John Vane: William Boyd's Armadillo café
A vivid description in his 1998 novel captures how the capital has changed yet stayed the same
www.onlondon.co.uk
January 11, 2026 at 12:38 PM
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
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
davehillonlondon.substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 6:57 PM
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
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.
davehillonlondon.substack.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:03 PM
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
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
www.onlondon.co.uk
January 4, 2026 at 4:42 PM
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
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
davehillonlondon.substack.com
January 4, 2026 at 11:17 AM
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
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.
davehillonlondon.substack.com
January 3, 2026 at 11:22 AM
Had dinner in the West End with one of those newly-honoured people last night. Not saying which one. #london #truelondon
December 31, 2025 at 10:30 AM
If you haven't yet read this piece for OnLondon, do it now. #london #truelondon
The Community Life Survey shines a light on how similar and how different London is to the rest of England. Most of the capital has weaker social ties, but stronger levels of civic engagement and agency. I wrote for On London about what this might mean in May. www.onlondon.co.uk/richard-brow...
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
www.onlondon.co.uk
December 31, 2025 at 10:14 AM
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
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
davehillonlondon.substack.com
December 31, 2025 at 9:40 AM
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
Camden knowledge, old and new
London's population is getting older. What does that mean for the city?
www.onlondon.co.uk
December 29, 2025 at 11:02 PM
To put it very, very, very mildly indeed. Thank you, FT. #london #truelondon
December 28, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Merry Christmas 2025!
On London sends best wishes to all its readers
www.onlondon.co.uk
December 25, 2025 at 2:37 PM
London's West End: up and downs, culture, commerce and criminality down the centuries: www.onlondon.co.uk/john-vane-up... #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
www.onlondon.co.uk
December 24, 2025 at 7:31 PM
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
Camden knowledge, old and new
London's population is getting older. What does that mean for the city?
www.onlondon.co.uk
December 22, 2025 at 1:49 PM