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Over the past few weeks, we’ve had three fantastic work experience people come into our office immediately after GCSC exams. We’ve learnt a lot from them – and we hope they’ve learnt a little about working life. This is a video of how one saw it.

Dominic Raab’s promotion to replace David Davis as Brexit Secretary means a new housing minister – the eighth minister in as many years. The last three have each served for less than a year.

BREAKING: Kit Malthouse is the new Housing Minister.

Kit Malthouse was born in Liverpool, and trained as a chartered accountant. After a management buyout he ended up running County Finance Group. His entry into politics was via Westminster City Council, where he became cabinet member for finance and deputy leader under Simon Milton; he then moved to the London Assembly where he was deputy mayor for policing in Boris Johnson’s first term. While serving on the assembly Malthouse was also finance director for hedge fund company Alpha Strategic, set up with Milton’s successor Colin Barrow.

Malthouse was demoted in 2012, and was then selected for the safe Conservative seat of North West Hampshire – succeeding former housing minister Sir George Young. He became an MP at the age of 49, and voted Leave in the referendum, but he backed Theresa May (not Boris Johnson) in the leadership election that followed. He joined the government in January 2018 as a junior Work and Pensions minister.

Few MPs are housing specialists and most see the issues through constituency concerns; Peter Apps of Inside Housing made a point by tweeting, before knowing who would get the job, that the new minister has “no previous interest in the sector … has frequently campaigned against green belt developments in their constituency”.

Theresa May has often said tackling the housing crisis is her “number one domestic priority” – and that claim has been backed up by her new Housing Secretary James Brokenshire, whose predecessor emphasised the importance by taking the housing prefix. The new minister must get up to speed very quickly to agree the revised National Planning Policy Framework, and deal with the Grenfell aftermath including the ban on combustible materials in cladding. Will the new housing minister combine longevity and good judgment?

Here’s a list of the MPs who have held the role since 2010:
1. Dominic Raab (now Brexit Secretary)
2. Alok Sharma (now Employment Secretary)
3. Gavin Barwell (now adviser to the PM)
4. Brandon Lewis (now Conservative Party Chairman)
5. Kris Hopkins (lost his seat)
6. Mark Prisk (backbench MP)
7. Grant Shapps (backbench MP)

Thorncliffe has been at the Local Government Association conference this week and one of our senior Labour colleagues reflects on the mood of the meeting.

The continued reductions to local government finance was one of the main subjects of discussion at this week’s LGA conference, the conference where senior councillors from all parties get together to talk shop. The figures are pretty horrific however you look at them – £16bn has been removed from local government over the past eight years of self-imposed austerity. What is interesting from a Labour point of view is how the penny is slowly dropping among our Conservative colleagues that our sector is being hung out to dry and we are on the verge of having to make some decisions that are going to have long-term consequences for local services that our residents have, rightly, come to expect.

James Brokenshire, the Secretary of State, came along to tell us what a great job we are all doing and that we are incredible force for good, which I suppose was nice after Sajid Javid rocked up last year and said that we were about as democratic as Afganistan. Apparently James’ father was Chief Executive of Greenwich, though I imagine that this was in the good days of settled finance and in-house services. Anyway, after we had had our heads rubbed in what some might call a rather patronising fashion, our attention turned to the horror stories, rumours about internal party wrangling of normal local council business. It sounds a bit old fashioned to say this but most of us give up evenings and weekends because – in exactly the same way as councillors from other parties – we have a perhaps slightly old-fashioned view that local representative decision-making is the right and best way to deliver vital services for local people.

We spent plenty of time talking about housing. I’m fortunate to be able to see this vital issue from two sides – the councillor with a growing waiting list of people in genuine need of somewhere safe, affordable and secure to live, and the public affairs professional that knows that our clients want to follow the rules and sometimes have to cope with those rules changing at short notice. Anyway, there was the usual criticism about developers failing to play by the rules, reinforcing my view that good public affairs is about building trust between our clients and local decision makers.

As one long-standing councillor said to me, asking developers to solve the housing crisis is like asking Thresher’s to solve alcoholism. The appetite for councils to deliver their own housing grows, with many councils having set up their own development companies. I think that there is plenty of scope for growth in this sector, though it does feel that many councils are on the same learning journey.

We talked about internal party issues. It’s sunny and there’s a World Cup on so I doubt very much that you have been following our party’s internal review of democracy. However, for many of us there are real concerns that potential changes will actually reduce democratic transparency and mean that elected councillors are mandated to make decisions by people who are unelected with personal interests that they will never be mandated to declare, rather than by our local residents who we speak to most days. Party officials are now in no doubt how we feel.

Councillors are far from perfect but – mostly regardless of party – we are trying to do our best under pressures that are, frankly, going to get worse. So when you next meet us at a planning committee, be nice to us.

As this article is published, elections deciding control of major councils are in full swing.

That may surprise readers who thought elections happened on 3 May.

However, when councils have firm majorities, the decisive round of elections are in the AGMs of the majority group of councillors, just after the electorate have spoken. Sitting leaders, sometimes with massive endorsement from voters, can be challenged and deposed by their councillors seeking a change of approach.

If this sounds somewhat undemocratic, that was always one argument for directly-elected Mayors – voters’ choice of leader couldn’t be overturned by councillors. But it was never adopted by more than a handful of councils.

Particular attention has been on Labour groups: Conservative leaflets tried to undermine Labour election campaigns by claiming far left and Momentum candidates would seize control. But Momentum did not have much success and the changes have been about other issues.

For instance, in Harrow the local Conservatives describe the leadership change as “Momentum flexing its muscles”, but the new leader Graham Henson is not a Momentum member: he won because he promised a more consensual leadership.

After eight years leading Enfield, Doug Taylor has been deposed (narrowly, 24-22) by Nesil Caliskan, who will be London’s youngest council leader at only 29. Change seems to have been driven by a younger leader more in touch with the borough’s ethnic diversity – but note that Caliskan is allied with Labour’s moderate wing and Taylor is on the left.

Mohammed Butt in Brent has beaten a challenge from Roxanne Mashari.

Hounslow’s Steve Curran narrowly survived a challenge in a somewhat divided Labour group.

In Greenwich, Denise Hyland chose to stand down voluntarily, and the Labour group has picked deputy leader Dan Thorpe.

In the high profile contest of Haringey, local activists had endorsed Zena Brabazon, who is on the far left. But councillors decide leaders, not activists, and a five way leadership ballot was won by Joe Ejiofor – although a member of Momentum’s ruling ‘National Constitutional Group’, he is not so hardline.

Outside London, the longest serving council leader in the country – Peter Smith of Wigan – has stood down after 27 years. His deputy for the past decade, Dave Molyneux, takes over. Barrie Grunewald of St Helens was forced out over a data security issue just before the election, and Derek Long is now confirmed as leader.

Labour tried but failed to take Westminster (above), Wandsworth and Barnet.

Earlier, we reported on the overnight results from yesterday’s local elections.

Here are the headlines from the counts taking place today:

• Kingston upon Thames is going Liberal Democrat.
• The four boroughs with elected executive mayors all voted Labour – Phil Glanville and John Biggs continue in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, Damien Egan and Rokshana Fiaz start work in Lewisham and Newham.
• Counting is still underway in many boroughs and below we bring you the latest results.

Here are the results, borough by borough, starting with the afternoon declarations.

In Bromley, the Conservatives are well on the way to holding onto the council with UKIP losing the two seats they held. Conservative hold.

In Hackney, Phil Glanville continues to be Labour Mayor with 64% of the vote, with the Greens beating the Conservatives to second place. With counting on the council seats nearly complete Labour look to be increasing their majority with, so far, no succesful Lib Dems. Labour hold.

In Harrow, with three seats to declare we can say that labour have won and will slightly increase their majority. Labour hold.

In Hounslow, counting is progressing slowly but there is nothing to indicate that Labour won’t continue to enjoy a sizeable majority. Labour hold.

In Islington, the position remains the same with one Green preventing a Labour clean sweep of the council. Labour hold.

In Kingston upon Thames, the Liberal Democrats have gained control of the council, with quite a healthy majority (probably 37 to 11), at the expense of the Conservatives. Lib Dem gain.

In Lambeth, despite some signs of a Lib Dem resurgence, Labour are on their way to maintaining control of the borough. Counting is continuing but we are confident of a Labour hold.

In Haringey, Labour have lost some seats for the Lib Dems, but maintained their healthy majority. Labour hold.

In Lewisham, Labour’s Damien Egan is Mayor, having secured 54% of the vote. Counting is underway for the counil wards at present and Labour show no signs of losing their strong control of this council. Labour hold.

In Newham, Labour look on course to have a clean sweep of seats. Labour hold.

In Tower Hamlets, John Biggs maintains the mayoralty – a Labour hold. Only two – single member – wards have declared so far and both have been won by Labour, which represents a Labour gain of one. There may well be individual stories here but for the council we predict a Labour gain from No Overall Control

ABOVE: John Biggs giving his victory speech as Mayor of Tower Hamlets today.

Nationally, the Lib Dems have gained South Cambs and Three Rivers and maintained their hold on Watford’s mayoralty whilst the Conservatives have taken over in Peterborough and Basildon.

In Elmbridge, the Conservatives look set to take over Elmbridge having gained exactly half the 48 seats on the council.
Labour have, so far, gained around 1950 council seats and the mayoralty of the Sheffield City Region.

ABOVE: Elmbridge Conservatives celebrating their gains, with local MP and Housing Minister Dominic Raab.

BELOW WE REPRINT THE RESULTS FROM OUR EARLIER 8AM EMAIL:

In Barking and Dagenham, Labour have regained a clean sweep, with the one seat held by an Independent returning to Labour. Labour hold.

In Barnet, the day’s shock result has seen the Conservatives gain seats at Labour’s expense to control the council by 38 seats to 25. Conservative gain.

In Bexley, UKIP lost its 3 seats as the Conservatives moved to a 34 – 11 victory over Labour. Conservative hold.

In Brent, Labour now have 57 of the council’s 60 seats, with Kenton ward the only Conservative seat. Labour hold.

In Camden, Labour maintained a healthy majority, having gained seats from both the Lib Dems and Conservatives. Labour hold.

In Croydon, the north/south split in the borough was broadley maintained with labour taking 41 of the 60 seats on the council, an increase of two. Labour hold.

In Ealing, Labour now control 57 of the 69 seats on the council, having taken 4 seats from the Conservatives. Labour hold.

In Enfield, Labour increased their majority to 29 at the expense of the Conservatives. Labour hold.

In Greenwich, Labour now hold the same number of seats – 42 – as they held prior to yesterday’s election, with the Conservatives still holding nine seats. Labour hold.

In Hackney, Labour’s Phil Gllanville was re-elected as mayor.

In Hammersmith and Fulham, Labour have increased their majority on the council to 26 in Labour’s best performance of the night. Labour hold

In Havering, the Conservatives now have 25 seats and Labour have 5. However a variety of residents groups and Independents have 24 of the council’s 54 seats meaning that the council is under No Overall Control.

In Hillingdon, the Conservatives have marginally increased their majority in a decision that has disappointed local activists. Conservative hold.

In Kensington and Chelsea, the Conservatives continue to have a healthy majority, having lost just one seat, despite the predictions made in the wake of the Grenfell fire. Conservative hold.

In Merton, Labour has maintained its small majority on the council, now holding 34 of the council’s 60 seats. Labour hold.

In Redbridge, Labour significantly increased their majority with the Conservatives losing 12 seats and the Lib Dems losing all of the three seats they held. Labour hold.

In Richmond upon Thames, the Liberal Democrats have taken over the council. They now hold 39 of the 54 seats on the council with the Green Party holding 4 seats as a result of their electoral pact. The Conservative vote fell from 37 to 11 seats. Lib Dem gain.

In Southwark, Labour have maintained their healthy majority and now hold 49 of the 63 seats on the council, with the Liberal Democrats falling from 13 seats to 11. One seat had its election postponed due to the death of a candidate. Labour hold

In Sutton, the Liberal Democrats remain in control with 33 of the council’s 54 seats despite losing 12 seats yesterday. Lib Dem hold.

In Tower Hamlets, Labour’s John Biggs remains mayor having acheived 65% of the vote after voters’ second preferences were taken into account.

In Waltham Forest, Labour increased its majority and now hold 46 of the 60 seats. Labour hold.

In Wandsworth, the Conservative representation has fallen from 39 seats to 33 but they maintain control of the 60 seats on the council. Conservative hold.

In Westminster, four seats changed hands from Conservatives to Labour, giving the Conservatives 41 of the 60 seats on the council. Conservative hold.

 

Yesterday, 32 London councils held elections for councillors and five also held mayoral elections. Most have declared their results, but some are still counting today.

Here are the headlines so far.

Barnet is still Conservative, having gained seats in the night’s surprising result. Labour had strongly predicted a takeover but the Conservatives surprised many – including their own activists – by gaining seats.

Wandsworth has defied the predictions and stayed Conservative, though their majority has shrunk from 18 to 6.

Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea are still Conservative, despite some predictions at the stat of the election period that these councils could turn Labour.

BOROUGH BY BOROUGH

In Barking and Dagenham, Labour have regained a clean sweep, with the one seat held by an Independent returning to Labour. Labour hold.

In Barnet, with three seats left to count the Conservatives a guaranteed a majority in the night’s surprising result. With the council previously not having a majority party following the defection of a deselected Conservative this represents a Conservative gain.

In Bexley, counting is still underway with the Conservatives certain to mantain their majority. Conservative hold.

In Brent, Labour have a clear lead on the council with counting still underway. This will be a Labour hold.

In Camden, Labour has taken seats from the Conservatives and Lib Dems and presently have 43 of the 54 seats, with Belsize ward to recount at midday. Labour hold.

In Croydon, the north/south split in the borough was broadley maintained with labour taking 41 of the 60 seats on the council, an increase of two. Labour hold.

In Ealing, Labour now control 57 of the 69 seats on the council, having taken 4 seats from the Conservatives. Labour hold.

In Enfield, counting is still underway with Labour guaranteed to maintain their control of the council and likely to marginally increase their majority. Labour hold.

In Greenwich, Labour now hold the same number of seats – 42 – as they held prior to yesterday’s election, with the Conservatives still holding nine seats. Labour hold.

In Hammersmith and Fulham, Labour have increased their majority on the council to 26 in Labour’s best performance of the night. Labour hold.

In Havering, the Conservatives now have 25 seats and labour have 5. However a variety of residents groups and Independents have 24 of the council’s 54 seats meaning that the council is still under No Overall Control.

In Hillingdon, the Conservatives have marginally increased their majority in a decision that has disappointed local activists. Conservative hold.

In Kensington and Chelsea, the Conservatives continue to have a healthy majority, having just lost one seat, despite the predictions made in the wake of the Grenfell fire. Conservative hold.

In Merton, Labour has maintained its small majority on the council, now holding 34 of the council’s 60 seats. Labour hold.

In Redbridge, counting is still under way and with only 12 wards declared, results are mixed with Labour taking a Conservative seat in South Woodford leading to the probability of a Labour hold.

In Richmond upon Thames, the Liberal Democrats have taken over the council. They now hold 39 of the 54 seats on the council with the Green Party holding 4 seats as a result of their electoral pact. The Conservative vote fell from 37 to 11 seats. Lib Dem gain.

In Southwark, Labour have maintained their healthy majority and now hold 49 of the 63 seats on the council, with the Liberal Democrats falling from 13 seats to 11. One seat had its election postponed due to the death of a candidate. Labour hold.

In Sutton, the Conservatives doubled their seats, with one being won on the toss of a coin, but the Liberal Democrats continue to have a majority despite fears that they could lose control. Lib Dem hold.

In Tower Hamlets, despite the verification of votes starting last night counting for the mayoyal election has only just begun. Labour activists are hopeful of seeing John Biggs succeed without needing to count the second preferences of voters and are predicting that Labour will win around 30 of the 45 council seats.

In Waltham Forest, Labour have held control with modest increases. Labour hold.

In Wandsworth, the Conservative representation has fallen from 39 seats to 33 but they maintain control of the 60 seats on the council. Conservative hold.

In Westminster, only four seats changed hands from Conservatives to Labour, giving the Conservatives 41 of the 60 seats on the council. Conservative hold.

Outside of London, results are mixed for the Labour and Conservative parties.

Labour has regained control of Plymouth but lost both Nuneton & Bedworth and Derby, where the Labour leader of the council lost his seat to UKIP. However UKIP’s vote imploded in Basildon, enabling the Conservatives to regain control.

The Conservatives also held on to Swindon in a disappointment to local Labour campaigners. Though many councils are not counting until today it appears that the Conservative vote has held up well, against the usual pattern of local elections enabling voters to punish the party in national control.

See you at 5pm!