Dom Frost: I recently found myself defending London…and I don’t know why

Dom Frost is a public affairs consultant for a leading London based communications firm and a member of the Conservatives Together Programme.

There is a perception that our capital city is scruffy, dangerous, crime ridden and polluted. This perception is not just held by many in the capital, but increasingly by those who don’t work or live here, and its gaining momentum.

I recently took time out of my regular job, to help a family member out with theirs. My part-time employment involved an old RAF aerodrome, campsites and the finest example of British high-tech manufacturing in a sport that is dominated by British based teams. Out of the fifty or so staff, I was probably the only one who lives and works in central London. This resulted in a hailstorm of questions and observations about people’s own experiences – none of which were positive.

One weekend colleague explained how when shopping in Oxford Street, they had taken supermarket carrier bags to ensure their purchases weren’t “jacked” and would only use their phone when their back was against a wall. Another weekend colleague told a story about how they were being followed while on Regent Street with their family and took cover in a shop to protect their purchases.

For whatever reason, blind loyalty or nostalgia for pride in a city I chose to move to for university 14 years ago and to justify my current circumstances, I defended the city. “Yes, it has lots of crime, you must be careful, it’s probably not a good idea to go for a run after dark, the tube is grim, but it’s still a great city, and like any other city, it has its problems”.

The key point is that whether my weekend colleagues view and actions are justified, it’s how they feel and see the capital. In recent years I do think an ugly corner has been turned in London and I regret my defence.

Indeed, back at my day job, I felt embarrassed after an international client came to London. We took them to various meetings around town and while standing in Westminster, we could see litter on the road, graffiti on signs, and the pavements were filthy. There was also a general feeling of cheapness and tackiness surrounding one of the most historically important buildings in the world.

The UK is a wealthy country, and has the 6^th largest economy in the world, surely, our capital should be in a better state than this.

My annoyance at my own comments were further compounded after popping home last week to Hampshire. There wasn’t any litter, no graffiti and no sense that someone was looking to nick my phone or stab me for a watch as I walked down my old high street.

In my view our standards as Londoners have dropped. We have become blind, and perhaps blasé about the state of our capital city, it’s almost stiff upper lip territory.

But is it so much to ask that we sit on tube trains which don’t have graffiti, or litter all over the streets, that I can take my phone out while walking without the fear of it being nicked. Perhaps even go into a normal high street shop without seeing some private security guards. Incredibly you can now find private security guards and even dog units in operation – pop over to Holland Park to see.

London is our capital city; it is a globally important and influential city economically and politically. It is a centre of culture, innovation, world class businesses and despite the best efforts of Labour Government’s and councils to turn the city into a brutalist architectural nightmare, it has lovely areas and neighbourhoods, and brilliant people.

But perception is more powerful than data (even if that data paints a bad picture), and to many, London is seen to be rotting. Everyone knows someone who has been a victim directly of crime. I have a friend who was stabbed for a watch on his doorstep, people who have had their phones nicked or at least attempts made, I know work colleagues who have had laptops nicked in pubs, a friend has had his bike stolen, someone has tried to mug me outside my flat, and my car licence plate was stolen.

The extent to which we seem to have allowed our city to fall so far, whereby crime is commonplace, and we are adjusting our behaviours so dramatically to accommodate poor behaviour is not right or fair. There are also limited options to respond to the wave of crime and anti-social behaviour. People can’t just move, its expensive, house prices are out of reach for most, rents are high, and people have jobs.

Instead, what you see is people accept the situation of poor standards in London and simply get on with their day.

In an odd way we should probably admire this spirit.

London needs to improve, and people need to reduce their tolerance for poor standards and the acceptance of decline.

The Conservative Party should be the party which drives this change through driving higher standards and to not allow the acceptance of mediocrity. This approach includes how things look, how things work and how people behave.

The situation in London can be turned around, it’ s done it numerous times in recent history.  One day soon voters will be looking for answers, solutions, positive leadership – not just an avenue for anger.

The Conservative Party should be that leader, because there is a seriously bright future for this country ahead of it.