Reform UK candidate vows to run London like ‘Tokyo on steroids’

Laila Cunningham, the Reform UK candidate for London Mayor in 2028, has pledged to implement a radical technology-driven agenda to transform the capital. She described her vision as running London like “Tokyo on steroids,” aiming to streamline bureaucracy and improve public services.

Cunningham, who was announced as the party's candidate in January, stated that current processes in London are overly complex and that technology should be leveraged for efficiency. Her proposals include eliminating police paperwork to allow officers more time for frontline duties, automating the London Underground network, and employing artificial intelligence to expedite planning processes for new housing developments.

Addressing Crime and Safety

A former Conservative councillor and prosecutor, Cunningham has been a vocal critic of the current mayor's record on crime. While acknowledging reductions in homicides and knife crime, she argued that Londoners do not feel safe due to a prevalence of other offences, such as theft, robbery, and anti-social behaviour. She stated that the perception of safety is diminished when residents fear using their phones or walking alone.

Cunningham suggested that victims are increasingly reluctant to report crimes like thefts due to a perceived lack of trust in the police's ability to investigate. To address this, she plans to double the number of visible police officers on London's streets. Furthermore, she vowed to reverse the Metropolitan Police's decision to reduce or close 24/7 police front counters across the city.

She also intends to conduct an immediate audit of how police officers spend their time, with a focus on using technology to reduce administrative burdens. Cunningham criticised City Hall's previous decision to block a contract with Palantir, citing concerns over the procurement process, but stated her priority is to find the best technology provider to streamline paperwork and increase police presence on the streets.

Transforming Transport and Housing

Cunningham's technological vision extends to transport and housing. She threatened to automate the London Underground to prevent transport unions from disrupting services through strikes. For housing, she indicated a desire to draw inspiration from Hong Kong's model of mass housebuilding near transport hubs, criticising the current mayor for what she described as overregulation of construction.

She identified the planning system as a significant barrier to addressing the housing crisis, citing an example of a developer waiting seven years for permission in Croydon. Cunningham stated that planning processes are ripe for AI integration, with her strategy being “build, build, build” to increase housing supply.

Her overarching goal is to shift London from a city that people "fear" to one that fosters opportunity, freedom, and safety, reminiscent of her own upbringing. Cunningham expressed a desire for her children to experience the same sense of security and opportunity in London that she did.