Rob Whitehead

Ex think tanker, UN staffer, budding eco entrepreneur.

[Dale Vince @DaleVince]

A simple 2% tax on assets above £10 million will affect only 0.08% of the UK population... Let’s get on with it.

[Rob Whitehead @RobWhiteheadLDN]

@PJTheEconomist That word 'fiscal' is doing a lot of work here

[Rob Whitehead @RobWhiteheadLDN]

@janrosenow Just bought a second hand ID4. Pretty good so far. Not perfect but large boot, spacious and comfortable for 5. Range is good. Hoping it's the car for the next 10 years.

[Stan Collymore @StanCollymore]

Graham Thorpe, England cricketer, with beautiful daughters, loving wife, family and friends.

Took his own life.

Too many men in particular, at a time when information is plentiful, charities on standby, text, phone and email services ready, are deciding to end their lives.

Many reading this, like me will have hit very close to where Graham got but stopped short, just. It's a desperate, confusing and frightening experience mixed with a matter of factness that at the time feels sobering, you feel you're thinking and acting clearly but you're not.

Graham's wife took the decision to tell the world of how Graham both lived and sadly died, in the hope that if you or someone you know are struggling you'll grab one of the branches set out below and contact someone who can and will help.

When someone takes their life, there's a trail of pain, questions and few answers, but many of us know that anxiety and depression gets so bad that life simply doesn't feel worth living. In my case I was lucky, very lucky. I ran, and ran some more until clouds lifted, the anxiety moved away and I could think straight. Looking back I've been seconds away from death several times, so reading about Graham is incredibly confronting, upsetting and sobering as I'm sure it is for many.

I didn't know Graham but his story is all too familiar. Anxiety and depression for men, particularly men, hides invisible as the forced machismo creates a mask, a shield. You laugh, you crack a joke, you "look" ok and you carry on. But then one day as if you were preparing a meal, you take stock, prepare your deed and,

You take your life.

Leaving others with a lifetime of pain.

You don't mean to, it's the last thing you want, but it's the unintended consequences of a decision made, nonetheless.

If you're reading this, and can relate to any of the above, firstly have 5 minutes to think of Graham, his children and his wife, they need all the love and support that can be sent their way.

Then, if you're anxious, depressed, really struggling, ease know that my email is open to sound off, that charities such as the Samaritans are there 24/7, SANE charity phone line is open from 4pm to 10pm daily, MIND have drop in centres nationally and emergence services will always help on 999 or NHS 111.

To Graham and his family, you're on my mind and the mind of many, and to those struggling, you're a second away from help even in your darkest hour.

Protect life. Yours.

Stand up. Speak out.

[Rob Whitehead @RobWhiteheadLDN]

@iammaxnathan Congrats Max. Richly deserved, well done!

[Peter Murray OBE @PGSMurray]

Sad day for City of London. Until today it had an exemplary transport policy. The Court of Common Council’s vote to allow taxis through Bank Junction during the day is a retrograde step and one the City Fathers will rue in the years to come @London_Cycling @willnorman

[Jim Cornelius @Jim_Cornelius]

I’m ready for election night!

Thank you @christhebarker.

[Colin Walker @colinwalker79]

🚨NEW: A few weeks ago, @theipaper published an article about people 'turning their backs' on EVs

It caused quite a stir, as it was pretty misleading

Following an @ECIU_UK complaint, we secured some of the corrections we asked for (but not all)

A 🧵 on where it went wrong

[Rob Whitehead @RobWhiteheadLDN]

I was very unwell last week. @OctopusEnergy rang me about their quote for a heat pump. This week they send me a glorious bunch of flowers. Probably a smart business decision, but heart-warming nonetheless.

[Michael Liebreich - @MLiebreich.bsky.social @MLiebreich]

This is everything you need to know about the UK's failure to decarbonise domestic heating.

[Rob Whitehead @RobWhiteheadLDN]

@ndrlee 1: Reduce obesity rate in 11 year olds by 95 percentage points. 2: finding policy mix that will get 95% of gas boilers out by 2032. 3: Quintuple international rail services from London in ten years.

[Centre for London @centreforlondon]

New blog: How to fix the problems holding London’s economy back

@RobWhiteheadLDN identifies the three key causes behind London’s stagnant productivity, and how policymakers can fix this:

https://t.co/FW5864Ay0w

[Rob Whitehead @RobWhiteheadLDN]

My final blog before leaving @centreforlondon. How can we fix London's economy and make the UK more prosperous? Might not be right, but hopefully it's helpful. https://t.co/9X8hSz0Jty

[London Cycling Campaign @London_Cycling]

Dotted lines won’t save lives!

@RBKC is consulting on advisory cycle lanes on #KensingtonHighStreet & Fulham Road. Please tell them that protected space for cycling & upgraded junctions are urgently needed. NOT paint!

Find out more & respond:
https://t.co/rXB17vTJrh

[Jan Rosenow @janrosenow]

👏👏👏 Great initiative by @AskNationwide: households can borrow up to £15,000 at 0% for clean energy home upgrades.

https://t.co/0wIQmNgpBW

[Andrew Sissons @ACJSissons]

Why do retrofit loan schemes always seem to fail in the UK? (Remember the Green Homes Grant? The Green Deal?)
What would it take to make them work?
Well, we @nesta_uk have been looking in detail in this question, and today we have published our answer...🧵
https://t.co/gVy5nvefuV

[London Cycling Campaign @London_Cycling]

Protected space saves lives and enables more people to cycle. We’ve told them, local schools, cultural institutes, & health orgs have told them, @TfL told them, and a report they commissioned told them. So why does @RBKC STILL not understand??

https://t.co/Se2VUJ8fey

[Rob Whitehead @RobWhiteheadLDN]

I will be spending the summer recharging my batteries and developing my future plans, likely to be in the #decarbonisinghomes space.  Meanwhile sunshine, and more time with my kids beckons #sunlituplands 😀.

[Rob Whitehead @RobWhiteheadLDN]

Some personal news: I’ve decided to hang up my Centre for London boots once again. It’s been a blast; working with brilliant people on the big stuff, like #LondonFutures, and the small stuff, like bike lanes in Kensington. But it’s also been tough.

[Rob Whitehead @RobWhiteheadLDN]

Keeping a thinktank without deep pockets going, especially during a pandemic, takes its toll. Thanks to all that supported and collaborated with us over the last three and bit years.