iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

It's pretty incredible to challenge the Oxford Street pedestrianisation on environmental grounds and laughable to call out its impact on noise pollution. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Westminster Council calls for traffic-free Oxford Street impact assessment

The famous central London shopping street is due to be pedestrianised later this year.

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

London has had the strategic power of call-in for nearly 20 years and it's had a pretty significant though potentially underused impact on planning decisions, mostly always being an approval in the end. It's not a bad thing to have a regional layer to unblock the pipes. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Mayors to get powers to overrule local councils on planning decisions

Housing minister Matthew Pennycook said the change was "essential" for helping mayors "effectively deliver new homes".

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Very funny that the social media reaction has been more angry towards the emergency alert rather than the cause of wildfires.

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

A few observations on Clacton byelection. One, Lee Anderson et al openly saying they trust private security over police with telling truth about safety should overshadow the result. Pretty outrageous. Two, it didn't deserve the level of attention it had in media. Deprivation in seaside towns does.

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Great day all round for fans of vertical drinking. Personally I'm a fan of parallel drinking where I have two pints from two different pubs.

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Does make me think that the reported concerns in Lib Dem world about lacklustre campaigning are ultimately meaningless when the Tories are pushing right and the Greens are going left. Davey will snag more seats from simply just *being there*.

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Reading the big Burnham Cabinet statement on devolution and I'm thinking: what about London? 4 in 10 tax pounds come from London, so will the same fiscal devo powers apply for the capital? A cynical person (me) is expecting London to have less local control as a result of this tax base...

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

I've not yet read the draft London Plan and will be writing a full response. But as basic courtesy, it would be really good if some stakeholder voices were constructive instead of being toxic and inflammatory. It's literally years of work by dedicated officials - be a critical friend, not a bully.

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

There's a few challenges for Burnham's new vocational education push. But for me, the political language for these announcements falls at the first hurdle by trying to pit technical education against university. If the offer is valid and strong on its own, you shouldn't need to punch HE down.

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Replacing stamp duty and council tax with a single flat rate without any regional control or variation could plunge thousands of households in London and the South East into poverty after housing costs. That's not what equalisation should mean.

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Seen a few lefties calling out Burnham for being 'unprofessional' by making social content instead of solving problems. "Mince is £5, why is he on TikTok" etc etc. It's a fair challenge. But every PM since Harold Wilson has dabbled in popular culture. Social media is now part of the profession.

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Data and issue aside, surely you can present these stats and get the point across without looking like you're on uppers.

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

I'm going to fight against the establishment.* *Excess, painful and exhausting heatwaves

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

The simplicity of a flat rate, no-nonsense levy of 1% on property values collected by the Treasury may be politically palatable but result in pretty vast imbalances between regions. Far from reducing the cash cow status which London & SE has from SDLT, a flat rate could deepen it.

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Lots of speculation about how Burnham would implement a PPT. There's several ways to do it but one obstacle: London. As such, designing a PPT needs to be nuanced, costed and flexible. In @centreforlondon.bsky.social's latest report we did just that. centreforlondon.org/publication/...

centreforlondon.org

Delivering the Homes London Needs: what will it take?

London’s housing crisis is arguably the greatest challenge facing the capital. It touches the lives of almost every Londoner. Yet, our housing system is failing to meet need – destabilising...

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Labour has previously told resigning Tory PMs to hold a general election. Tories have previously told resigning Labour PMs to hold a general election. Every party does this. Is it wrong not to? Maybe. Is it how our parliamentary system works? Nope. Change it or complain about something else.

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Not often I read opinion pieces with such contempt, vitriol and misogyny as this one regarding the proposed reforms to cohabitation rights. Critique the changes, sure, but this is just pure, sexist polemic - a terrible choice for commission. conservativehome.com/2026/06/23/c...

conservativehome.com

Charles Amos: Your ex-girlfriend may soon be allowed to legally steal your furniture | Conservative Home

Lammy’s proposed reforms simply amount to legalising theft by long-term girlfriends from their long-term property-owning boyfriends. Every argument in favour of it, from fairness as household contribu...

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Objections to a licensing application for Popeyes Chicken on Tottenham Court Road to stay open until 2am are very... questionable. www.standard.co.uk/news/london/...

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Extending Liz Line to Abbey Wood rapidly accelerated growth and development in Greenwich & Bexley, far exceeding TfL's expectations. SE London is very under-connected and cutting services is a surefire way to endorse decline. Places like Erith, Welling, Thamesmead, Bexleyheath: left high and dry.

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

New report from @centreforlondon.bsky.social - Delivering the Homes London Needs: What will it take? 👇 A bold response to London's housing crisis. Radically expand social housing. Tackle demand & distribution inequality. Make it easier to build viable housing. centreforlondon.org/publication/...

centreforlondon.org

Delivering the Homes London Needs: what will it take?

London’s housing crisis is arguably the greatest challenge facing the capital. It touches the lives of almost every Londoner. Yet, our housing system is failing to meet need – destabilising...

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Well that's six months of government work effectively neutered by one by-election and a (if successful) subsequent leadership election. Maybe it's a good thing the King's Speech was a bit boring.

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

The rhetoric about £10 pints in London is complete ragebait. Of course it's a tenner for an Amstel at the Connaught Hotel in Mayfair, have you been to a normal pub? Maybe outside central London? www.telegraph.co.uk/money/consum...

telegraph.co.uk

You are seeing this page because our security systems have detected some unusual activity on this connection. To regain access to The Telegraph website please try the following:

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Reposted by Daniel Reast

Audrey Porne @audreyporne.bsky.social · 06/08/2023

realistic people: period products should be free for students men in their 50s: if girls get free tampons, my 21 year old son Brandon shouldn't have to pay for nunchuck lessons

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Us Brits are experts in the art of foot shooting, but even this would be a remarkable (and painful) act of self-harm.

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

I'd like to thank the Bank of England for its unintended, probably well meaning but ultimately futile, dead cat. Or badger. Saves reading about Epstein for the umpteenth time.

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

This is real pithy criticism of local government finances. Southwark council spent £6,000 since 2022 on takeaways for households facing hunger and destitution. Their spending in 2025-26 is £1.2bn. Read the room... www.standard.co.uk/news/london/...

standard.co.uk

South London council slammed for spending 'insulting' £6,000 on takeaways

The council has claimed some of the money was needed for emergency situations, despite harsh criticism from opposition

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Dysfunction in Westminster making it very difficult for us think tankers, wonks and experts to avoid politics. Very happy to be with my spreadsheets.

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Huge week for housing policy: Planning & Infrastructure Act now law, Leasehold Reform draft out, New Homes Accelerator 2 live, big social housing updates, construction regulator, Section 106 changes and new design guidance. A real flurry of new (and nerdy) changes - and dare I say a bit of optimism?

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

Of course Burnham should be allowed to stand. Any opponents should be be content that if allowed he has several contests to win if his ambitions are to be realised: by-election, leadership contest, general election, and the general contest of being a backbench critic. Hardly smooth sailing.

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 18/01/2026

Grima Wormtongue of evil advisor in Lord of the Rings fame has defected to Reform UK.

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Centre for London @centreforlondon.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

Delighted to see our work spotlighted by @inclusionlondon.bsky.social. Data is critical for assessing the housing needs of Londoners - especially for those with accessibily requirements. See our research officer @danreast.bsky.social speak to this below ⬇️

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Inclusion London @inclusionlondon.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

Centre for London are right: There’s no clear picture of accessible housing across London. We need @mayoroflondon.bsky.social + councils to improve data standards across London so we can identify the demand and supply of accessible housing. Thank you @ellybakeram.bsky.social for raising this issue.

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

Going hard on the 'London is crime-ridden and awful' line didn't work for the past few mayoral elections and it won't work for Laila Cunningham and Reform. The politics of decline don't work in the capital. www.itv.com/news/london/...

itv.com

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

Maduro being charged with conspiracy to possess machine guns against the United States is quite the irony.

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

Turns out standing up on a stupidly overcrowded, congested and overheating Boxing Day train for well over two and a half hours means you walk like Quasimodo the next day.

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

Yes I know it's Christmas but the reaction to Haringey Council including the Rowans Bowling Alley site in their list of allocations has been atrociously communicated. There's literally no plans for redevelopment being proposed. www.independent.co.uk/voices/rowan...

independent.co.uk

Rowans bowling alley is loved by all. Why does the council want to tear it down?

The fight to save a busy, profitable and beloved bowling alley from becoming flats is not about nostalgia, says Jack Burke. It is about how culture has become expendable – and why that should worry an...

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Post-budget drama appears to have settled on a pretty muddy exchange of what ifs and who dids, instead of policy and its effects. Bit tired of it honestly.

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

If London meets targets, cutting to 20% would mean losing 13k affordable homes. But it's failing to meet targets. London is the most expensive place to build in Britain. There's many reasons for this. But a dose of realism is needed while recognising the desperate need for affordable homes.

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

Planning reforms should make bidets compulsory in new builds so we're not filling with wet wipes and causing millions of pounds worth of damage & disruption. Health and sanitary benefits to bidets also obvious. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

theguardian.com

Thames Water removes 100-tonne fatberg from west London sewer

Toxic mass chiselled out of Feltham pipes amid campaign to stop people tipping harmful substances down drains

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

Devastating to lose such a pivotal queer nightlife venue in Soho. G-A-Y was often the first queer bar visited after coming out, like a rite of passage for so many. Old Compton Street will struggle to replace it. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

G-A-Y Bar to close as Old Compton Street 'has lost LGBT identity' - BBC News

Owner Jeremy Joseph says it is "time to say goodbye" as he hopes to keep his other venue open.

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

Will never miss the opportunity to share this performance from Danny la Rue at the Royal Variety Performance in 1969. Drag at its most vintage, outrageous, camp and authentic. youtu.be/dGXslU0H4qY?...

youtu.be

Danny La Rue - The Royal Variety Performance 1969

YouTube video by MoonlightMusic Remasters

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

I don't know if I'm comfortable with the memeification of our party politics. Embarrassing for all involved, especially Bell.

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

*whisper* I don't think Thamesmead should count as a New Town when it's already (and historically been) a site of significant regeneration... But good news nonetheless. Extend that DLR out to Belvedere and Erith and then we're golden.

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

I'm sure the students handing out copies of The Communist newspaper outside Kingston Station have hearts in the right place, but I don't think the Yardley-Drummonds of the borough were interested.

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

It's happened before but I do think a Tube strike exposes a glaring divide in London's transport system: the sudden realisation that other forms of public transit exist.

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Daniel Reast @danreast.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

To be Mayor of London, you have to have a positive, inclusive vision for the city. Describing your home as lawless, bleak and terrifying to live in is not that vision. London would significantly more unsafe with a Mayor who thinks hate speech should be decriminalised. inews.co.uk/news/politic...

inews.co.uk

Nowhere’s safe in London, claims Reform rising star who wants to be mayor

British Muslim Laila Cunningham wants an end to hate-speech prosecutions - and the former CPS lawyer says Muslims who want Islamophobia laws should leave the UK

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