A Stronger London - Luke Taylor MP

I am proud to represent Sutton and Cheam, and to serve as my party's Spokesperson for London.

London is my home. It is where I studied, where I built my career and where I am raising my young family.

Our capital succeeds because of its people, businesses and communities. But life in London is becoming harder for far too many people. Housing costs are punishing, public services are under strain and local councils are being asked to meet growing needs with shrinking resources.

Too much investment also stops before it reaches Outer London.

I want a London that works for every community. That means giving our city a stronger voice in Government, handing more power to London and its boroughs, and making sure places like Sutton get a fair share of investment.

A fair deal for Outer London

People in places like Sutton pay their taxes and contribute to London’s success, but we do not get a fair return.

Our borough has no Tube or Overground stations, and only a small part of one tram stop. Residents depend on rail and bus services that are too often delayed, overcrowded, cancelled or cut back.

When I have raised this in Parliament, I've highlighted that Sutton receives one of the lowest levels of Transport for London spending per resident of any London borough.

London policy cannot be designed solely around the centre of the city. Outer London has growing communities, major housing pressures and rising demand for social care, SEND support and temporary accommodation. Our transport and public services must keep pace.

I am campaigning for better rail services, renewed progress towards a Sutton tram connection, reliable buses and step-free stations. I will continue pressing Transport for London, the Mayor and the Government to invest south of the river, around every postcode in London, and give Sutton the connections it needs.

Backing our boroughs

Local councils provide many of the services that people rely on every day.

They help families facing homelessness, support children with special educational needs, care for vulnerable adults, maintain roads and parks, collect waste and keep our neighbourhoods running.

But London’s councils have been starved of funding for years.

In March 2025, I told Parliament that Government funding per resident had fallen by more than a fifth since 2010, while London’s population had grown by over 900,000. The funding formula was still relying on data that no longer reflected the pressures facing our communities.

Since then, little has changed, and we're now living with the new uncertainty about what the new Prime Minister's agenda will mean for our Boroughs. It cannot give the Mayor more unilateral control whilst leaving Councils without a meaningful seat at the table and say over how resources are allocated in their area.

Outer London boroughs such as Sutton have been particularly badly treated. We have worked hard to manage our finances responsibly, but responsible councils cannot keep absorbing the cost of national failures.

The Government must introduce a stable, long-term funding settlement based on current populations, deprivation and demand. When Parliament places new responsibilities on councils, it must provide the money needed to carry them out.

Councils also need greater freedom to build and acquire homes, improve public buildings, invest in local economies and plan services around the needs of their communities.

I will keep fighting for a fairer funding formula and the practical powers that local government needs to deliver.

Giving London a stronger voice

London’s government is too fragmented.

Responsibility is divided between Whitehall departments, City Hall, borough councils and public agencies. When something goes wrong, each institution can too easily point towards another one.

Our capital needs clearer leadership and greater accountability.

London should have more control over transport, skills, housing and economic development. Borough councils should be able to work together strategically, and the London Assembly needs stronger powers to examine and challenge the Mayor’s decisions, and hold City Hall to account too.

Greater devolution must be matched by stronger scrutiny - and a set-up that means the Mayor shares power with Council leaders, like they do in other UK cities. The Mayor should have the power to champion London, and Londoners should be able to see clearly how that power is being used.

I have also called in Parliament for a dedicated Minister for London who can coordinate work across Government departments and make sure the capital’s needs are properly represented around the Cabinet table.

The Mayor must be prepared to challenge the Government, including a Government led by his own party. I will continue holding both City Hall and Ministers to account whenever Londoners are being overlooked.

Investing in London’s future

London makes an enormous contribution to Britain’s economy. Its success supports jobs, investment and public services across the country.

That success cannot be taken for granted.

We need to invest in the industries, skills and infrastructure that will keep London competitive. That includes backing research, clean technology, creative industries, hospitality and the small businesses that give our communities their character.

Here in Sutton, the London Cancer Hub shows what local government can help achieve. This major research and development project could bring thousands of skilled jobs to our borough while supporting work that transforms cancer treatment.

Projects like this need councils with the power and confidence to plan for the long term. They also need transport, homes and public services that allow growth to benefit the whole community.

I have called for greater devolved control over skills and training, giving businesses more flexibility to prepare people for the jobs our economy needs. I also support lifelong skills grants, so people have real opportunities to retrain throughout their working lives.

Supporting our high streets and night-time economy

London’s high streets, pubs, restaurants, music venues and cultural spaces bring people together and support thousands of jobs.

Many are being squeezed by rising costs, complicated licensing rules and a business-rates system that puts physical premises at a disadvantage.

We need a serious plan for a thriving 24-hour city. That should include fair and effective licensing, better late-night transport, safer town centres and stronger support for independent businesses.

This matters in Sutton and Cheam too. Our local high streets should be places where businesses can invest, residents can meet and communities can grow.

I will continue speaking up for London’s hospitality and cultural sectors, while pressing the Government and Mayor to create the conditions they need to succeed.

Building a London that works

A stronger London needs good homes, reliable transport, properly funded police and councils with the resources to serve their communities.

It needs clean air and waterways, thriving high streets and opportunities for people from every background.

It also needs decision-makers who understand that London extends far beyond Westminster and the City.

As the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for London, I will keep making the case for Sutton and for communities across our capital. I will challenge the Mayor when City Hall gets things wrong, hold the Government to account when London is ignored, and work constructively with anyone who is prepared to deliver the change our city needs.

London can remain a brilliant place to live, work and raise a family.

To secure that future, every part of our city must have the power, investment and voice it deserves.