We’ve reached peak Guardian live blog

Highbury corner is already insanely busy for the Arsenal parade. But still quite a bit of space further up Holloway Road. Fun atmosphere.

I spent *a lot* of my time as a councillor trying to nudge and complain about the police being better on comms. So fair play to the new Met Engage system which seems to be working - got a really good update about what action the police and Islington Council have taken to tackle ASB on my estate

What a wonderful evening on Holloway Road tonight. #arsenal #northlondonforever

Congratulations to Arsenal - the first London club to win the league in almost a decade and 22 years in the making 👏🏽

Repost if you’d like me to represent the UK at #Eurovision 2027.

Sad day for me today as I dropped off my laptop and pass at the town hall after 12 years of being an @IslingtonLabour ward councillor and the last 2 years on the executive. I’ve spent the days since the election writing a detailed handover for the next executive member for finance ….

I’m so pleased that, after a difficult election nationally for Labour, we have retained a progressive Labour council in Islington — one that can continue to be on the side of residents, delivering real change that makes a practical difference to people’s lives.

One of my best friends lost her seat yesterday. She was a brilliant councillor, hard working, dedicated, passionate, solutions orientated. She didn’t lose her seat because of her. She lost it because of Keir Starmer. He needs to go. @florawilliamson.bsky.social thank you for your years of service ❤️

Labour councils in London are making our communities fairer, safer and greener. Labour councils are building the affordable homes our capital needs. Don’t risk it all tomorrow - vote Labour ⬇️ www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

Why, in spite of everything, I will be voting Labour in the London borough elections: www.onlondon.co.uk/dave-hill-wh... #london

🚲 Streets for Cycling Pledge 🚲 Name: Cllr Una O’Halloran Borough: Islington Party: Labour Pledge: "We will continue to bring forward schemes that improve safety and connectivity for cyclists, with the aim of completing TfL's identified network of cycle corridors by 2030, subject to funding.

May Day has always been a celebration of workers’ right but it is now a day of renters’ rights. 💪🫂❤️ Congrats on this achievement by many campaigners, several key heroes (they know who they are) and a progressive government!

Today, we remember Stephen Lawrence and honour his memory. His legacy - the fight for justice that followed - changed our country for the better. We must continue that work by standing up to racism and striving for a city where everyone is treated with fairness and dignity.

NEW: Today I’m announcing plans to deliver at least one new late-night youth club in every London borough - the biggest investment in youth clubs ever made by a Mayor. We’re bringing youth clubs back. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Today the two-child limit is gone. Parents have told us what this will mean for their kids: - A first-ever birthday party for a 10-year-old - Better quality food - Clothes that aren't completely worn out - Going on the school trip without getting into debt - A new mattress - Swimming lessons

Today, Labour is lifting 4330 children in Camden out of poverty by ending the Tories’ two-child benefit cap.  The biggest reduction in child poverty over a Parliament since records began. Camden Labour also tackling poverty; giving 16,000 households 100% relief from Council Tax. #LabourDelivers

Tough on potholes. Tough on the causes of potholes. (AKA islington’s labour run council is doing our bit to tackle the climate emergency) www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/2598651...

Looks like the grey barriers have been removed from the Mother Red Cap on Holloway Road. I’ll be asking for an update on what is happening and will let residents know when I hear back. Let’s hope this means the pub will reopen soon! @camraofficial.bsky.social @londonpubmap.bsky.social

London stands with the trans community, today and every day. On Trans Day of Visibility, remember you are loved and wanted in our city 🏳️‍⚧️

Yesterday we launched Islington Labour’s manifesto: Standing up for Islington Do you want: 🌹 More decent & affordable homes 🌹 Safer streets 🌹 Support with the cost of living 🌹 A well run council which celebrates the best of Islington? If yes then this manifesto is for you! #VoteLabour7thMay

Council leader says she is horrified' by events in Gaza as she backs ‘ethical' pension plan - www.islingtontribune.co.uk/article/coun...

This is one of the things Islington’s Labour run council is currently consulting its pension fund members on (which is a legal requirement) - do they want us to remove Palantir from the pension fund.

They said it would take 193 years to clean London’s air. We did it in nine. 💨 London has now met legal limits for nitrogen dioxide air pollution.

I signed this letter. A lot of harm has been caused by ideological approaches to birth. “We are a democratic party and our policies are determined by our members.” is a pretty terrible way to approach health policies.

The radical right wants you to believe that London is dangerous - but the facts say otherwise.

📉 Wait lists have fallen again by 43k in January - 374k in 18 months. 🚑 Fastest ambulance response in 5 years, down to less than 29 mins for heart attacks and stroke 🏥 A&E waits the shortest for four years despite a hugely demanding winter Lots done, lots more to do.

New from TfL today: Transport for London is investing £94.8m across the 32 London boroughs over the next year to "make streets safer, healthier & greener" Comes as a new TfL report shows "three years of joint achievements, inc. 147km of new protected cycle routes & nearly 400 pedestrian crossings."

'The Israelis and the Americans do seem to have gone into this without any legal justification' Dame Emily Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, speaks to #BBCBreakfast after Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran killing the country's leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Lovely morning out chatting to neighbours and picking up issues which we can help with as Tollington’s Labour Councillors. Then popes into Everleigh street garden to see the community gardening project in action

Between this and the Greens general election policy of less medical intervention at birth it really is open season on woman amongst the populist parties.

And ironically Thames Water are in the town hall tonight for a pre-planned scrutiny on what they do in Islington. I suspect there will be quite a few questions tonight about how on earth they have managed to flood the borough again.

there's a nugget here which helps to explain Brown's character and why he was so incensed by the allegations against Mandelson from their time in office

🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Health officials are racing to contain a growing measles outbreak in London, which has struck down dozens of young children and affected 7 schools and a nursery. UKHSA has warned an outbreak across London could see 40,000 - 160,000 cases: www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...

London’s getting £1.5bn of the government’s new low cost loans for housing associations, 60% of the national pot. They’ll be part of the Mayor of @london.gov.uk’s City Hall Developer Investment Fund. The 0.1% interest loans have echoes of Vienna’s renowned social housing funding model.

Prioritising pubs over children growing up in poverty is quite the political take.

A real pleasure to meet George Clarke and hear about his experiences growing up on a council estate. We both know the positive impact social housing can have on families’ lives. That’s why I’m determined to continue delivering more council homes as we build a fairer London for everyone.

Lovely to join the SDLP London reception last night and to meet @clairehanna.bsky.social , and chat about delivering politics in a constructive way.

A cap on ground rent is very welcome. London has the highest number (1.4m) and proportion (38%) of leasehold homes. Ministers have faced down concerted lobbying by powerful freeholder interest groups to deliver this key reform, rejecting their increasingly hyperbolic arguments.

I want every Londoner to know that from April 2026, your rights at work are changing with improvements to sick pay, parental leave and strengthened worker protections. Stay informed with my online Employment Rights Hub. www.london.gov.uk/programmes-s...

More of London's roads will have safer speed limits because there's irrefutable evidence it save lives: 📉 25% fewer main road collisions 📉 34% fewer people killed or serious injured on local roads 📉75% fall in children killed on local roads @itvnews.bsky.social itv.com/news/london/...

Utterly awful that Lib Dem councillors in London have asked for a review of The Freedom Pass. Islington Labour support the Freedom Pass and I’m pleased to have just published a proposed budget for 26/27 which includes £12.5m so older Islington residents can travel for free in London.

Liberal Democrat led Boroughs tried to curtail the London Freedom Pass. Labour Boroughs have put a stop to it. www.standard.co.uk/news/transpo...

🚨BIG NEWS🚨 Thank you to the 280 cross-party signatories backing my campaign & 10 Minute Rule Bill to end the outdated ‘Aim to Permit’ principle. Councils & communities must have the power to say no to more gambling establishments. People before profit! 👇🏾

Severe Weather Emergency Protocol activated in London ❄️ The temperature is due to drop below freezing tonight, and emergency accommodation is open across the capital for those sleeping rough. If you are sleeping rough or know someone who is, connect to support via StreetLink thestreetlink.org.uk

On 1 May 2026, we will abolish Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions when we switch on the new private rented sector tenancy system. More details in our roadmap for implementing the Renters’ Rights Act published today 👇🏻 www.gov.uk/government/p...

If you live in Tollington ward in Islington and you think there is something Anjna, Mick and I should know about as your Islington Labour councillors then get in touch - [email protected] #IslingtonLabourOnYourSide

Please check out the proposals for a "Cyclops" junction on York Way, north of King's Cross. This would completely separate pedestrians and people cycling from motor traffic, improving safety. Joint project with Islington! @rowchampion.bsky.social consultations.wearecamden.org/supporting-c...

This brings me so much joy

Do you live on an Islington Council estate and got an idea of how the communal space could be improved? Islington's Thriving Neighbourhoods is now open for new suggestions. If you want to see an improvement on your estate then add your suggestion! take a look 👇