CAPITAL WATCH ISSUE 1 2018

Y et despite the best efforts of both the press and parties to talk a big game, neither party can be said to have outperformed expectations. According to the BBC’s projected national vote share, the Conservative Party was only three points down on what it achieved in 2017’s county council elections. After eight years in government, this result was better than its performance in any of the local elections held between 2012 and 2016. At the same time, Labour sealed its best overall result in the capital since 1971. A solid, albeit relatively underwhelming performance given the attention awarded to the targeted trophy Tory boroughs. Headlines were dominated by its failure to secure Conservative- held Wandsworth, and the rumoured-to-be-lost Tory strongholds of Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea. These results, alongside Labour losing Barnet, saw Theresa May claiming “success” for the Conservatives in the capital. In reality it was probably more a sigh of relief, on a night where the Tories benefited more from the collapse of the UKIP vote than denting Labour support. Post-election analysis put the two main parties neck and neck in terms of national vote share at around 35 per cent. A closer look highlights the extent to which Labour consolidated their presence in key metropolitan areas, including London. Around 1 in 5 of Momentum’s now 100,000 members are in London. The group focused its attention on the borough of Haringey in particular, with Momentum- backed Joseph Ejiofor taking up the role of leader. Given that the election campaign was often framed in the context of opposition to the Haringey Development Vehicle – a proposed public-private partnership between the council and Lendlease - it’s not surprising that current regeneration plans are officially “on hold”. The second notable change of leadership is the election of Rokhsana Fiaz as Mayor of Newham, replacing Sir Robin Wales after a mammoth 23 years at the borough’s helm. Ms Fiaz has promised to build 1,000 new council homes, oppose the academisation of schools and hold a referendum on whether the borough’s directly elected mayoral position should continue to exist. Important, albeit more subtle changes are afoot in City Hall. Sadiq Khan is increasingly flexing his muscles through intervention in planning applications, and recently announced a substantial funding package for council housing across the capital – committing to 10,000 council homes by 2022. Alongside a draft London Plan that prioritises affordable housing and workspace, it’s safe to assume that future development packages will need to take these policies into account, with a broader focus on social brokerage and good growth. Capital gains: The winners and losers of the local elections By Ian Anderson, Senior Director, Planning and Development ian.anderson @cushwake.com Sadiq Khan is increasingly flexing his muscles through intervention in planning applications When approached to write this article, I at first relished the opportunity. On the evening of 3rd May, London’s press predicted political pyrotechnics across the city, with several flagship Conservative London Boroughs being lost to Labour in a protest vote against an embattled Theresa May. SPOTLIGHT ON... CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD 11 SPOTLIGHT ON...