What a Labour General Election win would mean for London including new powers for Sadiq Khan

The Labour Party launched its manifesto yesterday (Thursday, June 13) as there are only 20 days to go before voters head to the polls at the General Election on July 4. The Conservatives rolled out theirs on Tuesday, and MyLondon read through the document to see what it would mean for London if the party formed the next government.

Now, we have done the same with Sir Keir Starmer's. The former lawyer is of course a London MP, representing Holborn and St. Pancras.

But he hopes to serve as the country's next Prime Minister. In his party's manifesto, Labour sets out what it would do with power.

READ MORE: What a Tory win election would mean for London, from 'scrapping ULEZ expansion' to train changes

Housing

Labour says it will 'take a more strategic approach to greenbelt land designation and release to build more homes in the right places. The party adds: "The release of lower quality 'grey belt' land will be prioritised and we will introduce 'golden rules' to ensure development benefits communities and nature."

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has previously said that he intends to stop 'inappropriate attempts to de-designate the Green Belt', and that 'boundaries should be changed only in exceptional circumstances'. He told the London Assembly in 2021: "My London Plan clearly states that the Green Belt should be protected from inappropriate development.

"However, the National Planning Policy Framework does allow development on the Green Belt if very special circumstances can be demonstrated. The same applies to boroughs proposing to remove Green Belt designations in their local plans."

Mr Khan added: "London's Green Belt prevents urban sprawl, driving the reuse and intensification of previously developed land. Prioritising development of brownfield land is a key part of the approach the London Plan takes to meeting London's substantial housing need. This ensures there is sufficient space for other essential land uses without encroaching on the Green Belt or other designated open spaces, including Metropolitan Open Land.

"As well as setting out a strong policy position on protecting the Green Belt, we are also taking a robust approach to implementation, refusing development proposals that would cause harm and not supporting any inappropriate attempts to de-designate the Green Belt."

The Metropolitan Green Belt is the designated area in and around Greater London. It now covers parts of 68 different districts or boroughs. In its manifesto, Labour also says it would support 'urban extensions and regeneration projects'.

New powers for Sadiq Khan

Labour says it would 'deepen devolution settlements for existing Combined Authorities'. Its manifesto adds: "Labour will review the governance arrangements for Combined Authorities to unblock decision making.

"We will provide greater flexibility with integrated settlements for Mayoral Combined Authorities that can show exemplary management of public money. On housing and planning we will seek to consolidate powers to allow for improved decision making."

Sir Keir would also found a new 'Council of the Nations and Regions'. This, Labour says, 'will bring together the Prime Minister, the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales, the First and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, and the Mayors of Combined Authorities'.

In March, Mr Khan told MyLondon that he wants more fiscal power devolved to him from central government. He said: "One of the things I'd like to talk to the Government about is devolving to us the monies they raise through vehicle excise duty. Drivers in London pay, roughly speaking, £500 million in what we call road tax. That road tax money goes to the Treasury, very little comes back to Londoners.

"One of the conversations I want to have with Treasury is how we can simplify things, so [things like] road tax, other things." Mr Khan added: "Imagine you're driving, you're paying your road tax, you're paying charges during the course of a day. Technology can make it easier, but working with the Treasury, the DfT and others, we need to think about how we can make it easier across the country."

The railways

Labour has promised to bring the railways into public ownership. Its manifesto states: "We will do this as contracts with existing operators expire or are broken through a failure to deliver, without costing taxpayers a penny in compensation.

"Great British Railways will deliver a unified system that focuses on reliable, affordable, high-quality, and efficient services; along with ensuring safety and accessibility. It will be responsible for investment, day-to-day operational delivery and innovations and improvements for passengers, working with publicly-owned rail operators in Wales and Scotland."

MyLondon reported on June 6 that this means Mr Khan may have to amend his promise to bring London commuter railway services under TfL's control as Labour steps in. During the London mayoral election campaign on April 26, the mayor pledged to bring suburban London railway services under TfL's control, creating a 'revolutionary metro-style' system.

Labour's manifesto adds: "Mayors will have a role in designing the services in their areas. There will be a duty to promote and grow the use of rail freight. Open access operators are an important part of the rail system and will have an ongoing role. Labour will also create a tough new passenger watchdog, focused on driving up standards."

The document also says: "Labour will give mayors the power to create unified and integrated transport systems, allowing for more seamless journeys, and to promote active travel networks." The manifesto does not mention HS2.

Buses

Labour's manifesto also states: "Building on the work of Labour mayors, we will reform the broken system through new powers for local leaders to franchise local bus services, and we will lift the ban on municipal ownership. This will give local communities in England control over routes and schedules."

A franchise means enabling local authorities to determine the details of the services provided – including where they run, when they run and their standards. Typically, bus operators provide their services under contract to the local authority who can allow whatever sort of contract they feel is appropriate.

In April, Mr Khan pledged to establish a new London Bus Company to bring the city's routes back into public ownership for the first time in 30 years. The bold plan could see the vast majority of London's 675 bus routes gradually taken out of the hands of private companies for the first time since 1994 as their contracts with TfL expire.

Homelessness

On homelessness, which has been growing in London, the Labour manifesto says: "The last Labour government made huge strides in ending homelessness. Under the Conservatives, that progress has been undone, with rough sleepers an all too-common sight in our towns and cities, and a sharp rise in hidden homelessness.

"Building on the lessons of our past, Labour will develop a new cross-government strategy, working with Mayors and Councils across the country, to put Britain back on track to ending homelessness."

Sadiq Khan has pledged to end homelessness in the capital by 2030.

The Labour manifesto can be read in full here. You can read the Conservative Party manifesto in full here.

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