> Does that count as polite conversation in London?

no, because this is mostly a logical fallacy.

> It is full of things that don't need to be there

Like what specifically? Most heavy industry moved out in the 70/80s, the port moved to essex in the 80s. The fish and meat veg moved out to canary wharf, and are going to move further out soon. what else should be taken away?

> Today they need data centres as close as possible,

This is a cable replacement, but yeah, lets go with new datacentres in london (as we know planning is quick and simple, so they are popping up weekly....) However the key issue is that population density is now back to somewhere like it was in the 40s (https://trustforlondon.org.uk/data/population-over-time/)

So whilst power demand is largely flat, infra doesn't last for ever, so even power cables need to be replaced.

> Modern London is all about MPs who are physically tethered to Westminster by in person voting, being surrounded by the kind of people who want direct access to MPs...

Yup, all 8.9 million people that live there are entirely there to do lobbying. I to am a lobbyist.

> Don't lecture me on costs, while London continues to try so hard to inflate the price of the tidal mud it resides on, by sucking in the rest of the UKs wealth.

Well, as you've neatly avoided any mention of costs of tunnel vs pylons, its not really a lecture is it. I hope you come to peace with the general concept of london.