Emily Shipp is Shelter's UK Campaigns Officer. Follow Emily on twitter: @shippsails There are a number of things our London politicians like to talk about: themselves (most of them), their hair (Boris), the 80s (Ken) and being in the police once upon a time (Brian). In the debates thus far, they have delivered their prepared lines on all the ways in which living in our city must be made safer – rioting, knife crime, antisocial behaviour, terrorism – and all…

Katy Wright is Oxfam's UK Advocacy and Parliamentary Officer. Follow Katy on twitter: @katywright In the midst of debates over philanthropy versus tax, the launch of Big Society Capital this week was presented as a "third pillar" of finance for social impact, alongside philanthropy and the state. Initially capitalised from dormant bank accounts it will channel money into social enterprises and community groups "to blend financial return with social impact". With £600 million to play with, this fund could be…