Charles Wright
@charleswright57.bsky.social
Writer at OnLondon.co.uk. Former councillor in Haringey.
Pinned
My On London 2025…
Plus, a first look at the prospects for the capital in 2026
open.substack.com
A quick review of some of my planning, housing and transport stories for On London @davehillonlondon.bsky.social in 2025, plus some thoughts on 2026. An election year when new planning rules will begin to alter the city's landscape significantly.. open.substack.com/pub/wrightc/...
Reposted by Charles Wright
Duncan likes Canary Wharf. FWIW, so do I.
A wander through the Thatcherite wonderland of Docklands. Controversial take: Canary Wharf is now...quite nice? www.economist.com/britain/2026...
Thatcher-on-Thames
Docklands is a corner of England that is forever Maggieland
www.economist.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Duncan likes Canary Wharf. FWIW, so do I.
Reposted by Charles Wright
A quick review of some of my planning, housing and transport stories for On London @davehillonlondon.bsky.social in 2025, plus some thoughts on 2026. An election year when new planning rules will begin to alter the city's landscape significantly.. open.substack.com/pub/wrightc/...
My On London 2025…
Plus, a first look at the prospects for the capital in 2026
open.substack.com
January 4, 2026 at 4:12 PM
A quick review of some of my planning, housing and transport stories for On London @davehillonlondon.bsky.social in 2025, plus some thoughts on 2026. An election year when new planning rules will begin to alter the city's landscape significantly.. open.substack.com/pub/wrightc/...
A quick review of some of my planning, housing and transport stories for On London @davehillonlondon.bsky.social in 2025, plus some thoughts on 2026. An election year when new planning rules will begin to alter the city's landscape significantly.. open.substack.com/pub/wrightc/...
My On London 2025…
Plus, a first look at the prospects for the capital in 2026
open.substack.com
January 4, 2026 at 4:12 PM
A quick review of some of my planning, housing and transport stories for On London @davehillonlondon.bsky.social in 2025, plus some thoughts on 2026. An election year when new planning rules will begin to alter the city's landscape significantly.. open.substack.com/pub/wrightc/...
Reposted by Charles Wright
I know, yeah, it's AI, but it just utterly wild to me, speaking as someone who grew up *in London in the time period being depicted here* that people are doing nostalgia for *London in the 90s*!
London in the good old days - before everyone's feet pointed forwards.
January 3, 2026 at 12:15 AM
I know, yeah, it's AI, but it just utterly wild to me, speaking as someone who grew up *in London in the time period being depicted here* that people are doing nostalgia for *London in the 90s*!
Reposted by Charles Wright
May London's best qualities prevail in 2026: www.onlondon.co.uk/dave-hill-ma... #london #newyear @lewisbaston.bsky.social @charleswright57.bsky.social @richardbrown.bsky.social @richardderecki.bsky.social @richardwatts01.bsky.social @leannetritton.bsky.social
Dave Hill: May London's best qualities prevail in 2026
The capital's strengths will be tested and its problems will need urgent remedies
www.onlondon.co.uk
January 1, 2026 at 9:21 PM
May London's best qualities prevail in 2026: www.onlondon.co.uk/dave-hill-ma... #london #newyear @lewisbaston.bsky.social @charleswright57.bsky.social @richardbrown.bsky.social @richardderecki.bsky.social @richardwatts01.bsky.social @leannetritton.bsky.social
Reposted by Charles Wright
The doom and gloom about London is ridiculous and harmful. Team FT is Team London - as.ft.com/r/19d3d36d-e...
Don’t believe the fake gloom about London
[FREE TO READ] The UK capital is subject to more than its fair share of misinformation
as.ft.com
December 20, 2025 at 9:21 AM
The doom and gloom about London is ridiculous and harmful. Team FT is Team London - as.ft.com/r/19d3d36d-e...
Reposted by Charles Wright
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
On London 2025: The Year Reviewed
The up, the downs, the dramas and the avalanche of untruths
www.onlondon.co.uk
December 29, 2025 at 4:18 PM
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
Reposted by Charles Wright
London looking spectacular from above 🚁
London's Christmas lights: A view from the skies
Aerial photographs taken at night show central London dazzling in festive light displays.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 23, 2025 at 8:50 PM
London looking spectacular from above 🚁
Reposted by Charles Wright
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
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.
davehillonlondon.substack.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:46 PM
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
TfL chiefs sound positive about the network's financial position, but declining bus ridership remains a significant risk. My latest for On London @sebdance.bsky.social www.onlondon.co.uk/transport-fo...
Transport for London chiefs strike positive financial note
Appearing before the London Assembly's budget committee, they anticipated operating surpluses and an adequate programme for network renewals
www.onlondon.co.uk
December 19, 2025 at 1:59 PM
TfL chiefs sound positive about the network's financial position, but declining bus ridership remains a significant risk. My latest for On London @sebdance.bsky.social www.onlondon.co.uk/transport-fo...
Reposted by Charles Wright
London is looking spectacular in its Christmas decorations. I've honestly never seen it look so wonderful. Makes those "they've cancelled Christmas" people look like absolute clowns.
Here's Covent Garden's tree.
Here's Covent Garden's tree.
December 17, 2025 at 11:29 PM
London is looking spectacular in its Christmas decorations. I've honestly never seen it look so wonderful. Makes those "they've cancelled Christmas" people look like absolute clowns.
Here's Covent Garden's tree.
Here's Covent Garden's tree.
Reposted by Charles Wright
Nigel Farage on GB News the other day said: “We have a Mayor of London who is happy to celebrate every other religious festival around the world, but just not Christmas.” One of his more brazen lies. What would he have made of Sadiq's 2025 Christmas Carol Service? www.onlondon.co.uk/sadiq-khans-...
Sadiq Khan Christmas Carol Service brings London comfort and joy
The Mayor led the annual gathering and concert at Southwark Cathedral with a strong message about defending the city against its foes
www.onlondon.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Nigel Farage on GB News the other day said: “We have a Mayor of London who is happy to celebrate every other religious festival around the world, but just not Christmas.” One of his more brazen lies. What would he have made of Sadiq's 2025 Christmas Carol Service? www.onlondon.co.uk/sadiq-khans-...
Reposted by Charles Wright
High streets are barometers of social and economic health. A new report identifies why those in suburban #london are holding up quite well: www.onlondon.co.uk/londons-subu... #truelondon @centreforcities.bsky.social @nickplumb.bsky.social @charleswright57.bsky.social @annebclarke.bsky.social
London's suburban high streets are holding up, says new report
A think tank study has identified factors keeping vacancy rates lower and demand higher than elsewhere
www.onlondon.co.uk
December 7, 2025 at 8:43 AM
High streets are barometers of social and economic health. A new report identifies why those in suburban #london are holding up quite well: www.onlondon.co.uk/londons-subu... #truelondon @centreforcities.bsky.social @nickplumb.bsky.social @charleswright57.bsky.social @annebclarke.bsky.social
Reposted by Charles Wright
Interesting piece by Charles - not just because he says nice things about something I wrote, but also because the City and Canary Wharf seem to be racing to build office space fast enough to keep up with demand. A long way from the 'new normal' that was being doomcast five years ago.
New substack - The DLR decision, 'tube wars' and new town battles, the Square Mile v Canary Wharf, and New Year question: Do planning policies give too much weight to conservation? @richardbrown.bsky.social @centreforcities.bsky.social @businessldn.bsky.social wrightc.substack.com/p/happy-chri...
Happy Christmas London?
The DLR decision, 'tube wars' and new town battles, paying for infrastructure, and the Square Mile v Canary Wharf rivalry resumed
wrightc.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Interesting piece by Charles - not just because he says nice things about something I wrote, but also because the City and Canary Wharf seem to be racing to build office space fast enough to keep up with demand. A long way from the 'new normal' that was being doomcast five years ago.
New substack - The DLR decision, 'tube wars' and new town battles, the Square Mile v Canary Wharf, and New Year question: Do planning policies give too much weight to conservation? @richardbrown.bsky.social @centreforcities.bsky.social @businessldn.bsky.social wrightc.substack.com/p/happy-chri...
Happy Christmas London?
The DLR decision, 'tube wars' and new town battles, paying for infrastructure, and the Square Mile v Canary Wharf rivalry resumed
wrightc.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 1:01 PM
New substack - The DLR decision, 'tube wars' and new town battles, the Square Mile v Canary Wharf, and New Year question: Do planning policies give too much weight to conservation? @richardbrown.bsky.social @centreforcities.bsky.social @businessldn.bsky.social wrightc.substack.com/p/happy-chri...
The death of the high street? Not in the capital, according to new research into London's 545 high streets (excluding the West End) from @centreforcities.bsky.social. My On London report www.onlondon.co.uk/londons-subu...
London's suburban high streets are holding up, says new report
A think tank study has identified factors keeping vacancy rates lower and demand higher than elsewhere
www.onlondon.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 5:55 PM
The death of the high street? Not in the capital, according to new research into London's 545 high streets (excluding the West End) from @centreforcities.bsky.social. My On London report www.onlondon.co.uk/londons-subu...
Insightful analysis from @centreforcities.bsky.social. London’s high streets, 545 of them, are doing okay.
While many UK high streets face rising vacancies, London’s remain resilient.
Our new blog explains how demand — not supply constraints — drives performance, and why incomes and affordability matter most👇
buff.ly/3pAs6Yg
#UrbanPolicy
Our new blog explains how demand — not supply constraints — drives performance, and why incomes and affordability matter most👇
buff.ly/3pAs6Yg
#UrbanPolicy
December 4, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Insightful analysis from @centreforcities.bsky.social. London’s high streets, 545 of them, are doing okay.
Reposted by Charles Wright
"Preferred site" for Smithfield and Billingsgate markets relocation confirmed: www.onlondon.co.uk/preferred-si... #london
www.onlondon.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 8:11 AM
"Preferred site" for Smithfield and Billingsgate markets relocation confirmed: www.onlondon.co.uk/preferred-si... #london
Reposted by Charles Wright
Latest Talk About London podcast with me, Leanne Tritton of The London Society& the brilliant Professor Greg Clark on how #London is perceived from abroad. Foreigners seem keener on the city than UK national governments, something they find rather puzzling: www.onlondon.co.uk/what-does-th....
What does the rest of the world think of London?
At home, the capital is often denigrated and slighted, yet it is still greatly admired abroad
www.onlondon.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Latest Talk About London podcast with me, Leanne Tritton of The London Society& the brilliant Professor Greg Clark on how #London is perceived from abroad. Foreigners seem keener on the city than UK national governments, something they find rather puzzling: www.onlondon.co.uk/what-does-th....
Coul we be entering a new era of "innovative" financing arrangements to get infrastructure underway in London? Welcome hints in the Budget, as DLR extension gets the nod but other major schemes stay on the shelf. @businessldn.bsky.social @londoncouncils.bsky.social My OnLondon report in replies. 1/2
December 1, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Coul we be entering a new era of "innovative" financing arrangements to get infrastructure underway in London? Welcome hints in the Budget, as DLR extension gets the nod but other major schemes stay on the shelf. @businessldn.bsky.social @londoncouncils.bsky.social My OnLondon report in replies. 1/2
Reposted by Charles Wright
Budget docs leave door open to innovative financing of London infrastructure projects, even if details remain murky, says @charleswright57.bsky.social. www.onlondon.co.uk/charles-wrig...
Charles Wright: How will Thamesmead DLR extension be paid for?
The government has at last backed a new transport scheme for London, but the financing is still being worked on
www.onlondon.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Budget docs leave door open to innovative financing of London infrastructure projects, even if details remain murky, says @charleswright57.bsky.social. www.onlondon.co.uk/charles-wrig...
Reposted by Charles Wright
Reposted by Charles Wright
Continuing On London's budget coverage, here's @richardbrown.bsky.social on the "mansion tax". He is both fair and unimpressed: www.onlondon.co.uk/richard-brow... @danneidle.bsky.social @stephenkb.bsky.social @samfr.bsky.social @pollytoynbee.bsky.social @sarahdonaldson.bsky.social #london #budget
Richard Brown: The 'mansion tax' is a clunky half measure
The local Council Tax produces much unfairness but this new central government surcharge is problematic and won't make much difference
www.onlondon.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Continuing On London's budget coverage, here's @richardbrown.bsky.social on the "mansion tax". He is both fair and unimpressed: www.onlondon.co.uk/richard-brow... @danneidle.bsky.social @stephenkb.bsky.social @samfr.bsky.social @pollytoynbee.bsky.social @sarahdonaldson.bsky.social #london #budget
Reposted by Charles Wright
My multi-contributor website OnLondon now funded in full by proceeds from my twice-weekly newsletter, OnLondon Extra. News, comment, deep analysis and challenges to all forms of populism. If you don't already subscribe, try the free trial: davehillonlondon.substack.com/p/on-london-... #london
On London Extra: Looking up?
On Thamesmead, the "tourist tax" and Fair Funding. Plus the London-only Covid lockdown that nearly was, Chinese embassy set for green light, new podcast and more
davehillonlondon.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:55 AM
My multi-contributor website OnLondon now funded in full by proceeds from my twice-weekly newsletter, OnLondon Extra. News, comment, deep analysis and challenges to all forms of populism. If you don't already subscribe, try the free trial: davehillonlondon.substack.com/p/on-london-... #london
Reposted by Charles Wright
Reform UK's policy chief claimed that "the majority" of soical housing in #London "goes to foreign nationals". Not true. Now read on: www.onlondon.co.uk/reforms-zia-... #housing #truelondon
Analysis: Reform UK claim about foreigners and social housing
Statement made on BBC Newsnight by Nigel Farage's policy chief was highly inaccurate and echoed an inflammatory far-Right falsehood
www.onlondon.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Reform UK's policy chief claimed that "the majority" of soical housing in #London "goes to foreign nationals". Not true. Now read on: www.onlondon.co.uk/reforms-zia-... #housing #truelondon