Let me tell you the story of the most visible example of economic and political failure in modern Britain.

Leeds is the largest city in western Europe without a mass transit system, and we are all poorer because of it.

How did we get here? Why does it matter? And what can be done? Rewind 150 years and we learn that Leeds did once have mass transit.

Its tram network was horse-drawn from as early as 1871, and then electric from 1901.

Just look at this beautiful tram:

When we said we wanted economic growth and rising living standards, we meant it.

When we said we’d take on the barriers standing in the way of vital infrastructure being built, we meant it.

Quick 🧵 on today’s Judicial Review news.

gov.uk/government/new… Context: Judicial review (JR) is important. Sometimes, governments get things wrong. It’s right that decisions can be challenged.

But, people can lodge objections again & again to vital works – often clean power projects – simply because they oppose them.

Why can’t Britain build anything anymore?

The news this week of the £100m ‘bat tunnel’ gave us some clues.

Here’s the story of this tunnel, which has been 12 years in the making, and some thoughts on what it tells us Background: The tunnel is a 1km concrete and mesh structure, to protect bats from HS2 trains.

It was planned from early on in HS2’s life – the Sheephouse Wood (Bat) Mitigation Structure (SWBMS) features in these 2016 plans:

It’s been a great first few days as MP for Chipping Barnet, and I’m excited to get on with supporting my constituents and delivering on my pledges. But I want to take a moment to thank my predecessor, Theresa Villiers, for the hard work she's done over the past two decades. (1/6) I know many people in Barnet voted for Theresa even though they had strong reservations about the Conservative Party, and my sincere hope is that in the coming years you will see that in me you have a local MP who will work just as tirelessly for our community. (2/6)

It has been an honour to serve in the Tower Hamlets Cabinet, with responsibility for highways, public realm and parking. It’s been a job like no other – with a direct impact on the way hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors get around and experience our streets. I’d have loved to continue in the role, but instead will be moving to the local ‘backbenches’. I’ve worked hard since taking on the role to deliver the changes that our borough needs to improve air quality, support walking & cycling & invest in public spaces.

Good morning!

Today is the first day of the Wapping Bus Gateway.

Council staff have been on site this morning and our contractors have been busy getting things ready for weeks.

Here's some things to know about the gateway... 1. It isn't a gate! It's two automatic number plate recognition cameras pointing at the road right next to two signs. Any non-exempt vehicle passing over this point during peak hours will get spotted by the cameras and issued with a fine.