London needs an anthem. Something properly earwig-y that just sticks with you all day.
In a world of nano-attention spans and forever scrolling on social media, London’s brand perception is a kaleidoscope of petty theft, fat cat business leaders, feral teenagers, political bickering, overcrowded tubes, and sometimes ostentatious global wealth. It is an embellishment and a character assassination that works because it is a convenient narrative for some, both inside and outside the UK. It also works because it has just enough truth and evidence to make it believable.
The Clash gave us London Calling in 1979, a commentary on the urban decay and social unrest of the time. London’s population was in decline and didn’t begin growing again until more than a decade later. Nearly 50 years on, we have been through the mid-80s financial ‘big bang’, Tony Blair’s Cool Britania, 7/7, the London 2012 Olympics and a global pandemic.
We are now a city of more than 9 million people and rightly considered one of only a handful of true global cities. Before The Clash, London’s cultural heartbeat has been reflected in Wordsworth, Turner, Dickens, with modern takes found in James Bond and most of Hugh Grant’s early stuff.
But what is our anthem of today?
I love this city and its organised messiness. It is the world’s capital and the mosaic of residents that call it home are a reflection of global movements of people and goods that span a couple of millennia. It is also one of the safest large cities in the world. That busy tube provides for over 1.2 billion journeys each year, to places of business and entertainment that are the envy of the world.
That’s not to say the city is without its problems, and we need to be honest about that. As a ‘housing guy’, I firmly believe that the lack of quality affordable housing is the crucible of so much that shows up in crime statistics and social disquiet. As ever, solutions are complicated and varied – and well-covered on Propviews elsewhere.
Our national politicians have the difficult challenge of reconciling policy support for London as a critical driver of UK economic growth, while also reflecting the national interest in equal measure. But with 27% of income tax being generated by the 13% of the UK population based in London, the fiscal picture heavily skews in favour of a need for the Capital’s continued economic vibrancy. That doesn’t square easily with a voter base that sees London favouritism as taking resources away from local communities across the rest of the UK.
The simple truth is a healthy London benefits the fiscal and economic well-being of the rest of the UK. It is often the front door for people and firms coming to the UK, and the mirror by which the country sees itself. When I think of New York City, I think of the ambition, excitement and dynamism of that city through its cultural identity and by extension part of the traditional American dream. There is a pride and a confidence that would not be out of place in London; yet it is.
So I think it’s time for London to have a new anthem. One that sees challenges as opportunities, change as exciting and city leadership on a global stage.
Who doesn’t want live in a world of optimism, and London has a calling to bring some of that to the world.
Adam Challis is responsible for leading JLL’s UK research and strategy team. He holds an Executive MBA from London Business School, has been at JLL for 11 years. He is a well-known public commentator and presenter on real estate issues.
