The Politics and Policy of London Elections, Demography and the Reshaping of Power in the Capital

This book examines the changing demographics, attitudes and electoral behaviours of Londoners over the last 50 years and considers the impact these changes have had on the policy agendas of the capital, past, present and future. Focussing on the issues of greatest concern to voters in the capital, including crime, the economy and the cost of living, housing, inequality, health, immigration and the environment, the book examines the capital’s economic and cultural dominance and how it influences broader debates about urban politics. It draws on a wide range of scholarly literature and data providing a comprehensive understanding of how and why the political and policy landscapes of London have shifted in recent decades. The book questions how much space is available for policymakers to tackle the major issues facing Londoners, whether they can forge political coalitions for change, and who will ‘win’ and ‘lose’ under policy reforms. This book will be of key interest to scholars, students and practitioners of British and metropolitan politics as well as those with interests in history, elections, political parties, political sociology, public policy and urban studies.