Reference

Some Conservative MPs opposed joining Croydon and semi-rural towns with London for several reasons. According to the search results, key factors include:

1. Preservation of Identity and Character: There is a desire to maintain the distinct identity and character of semi-rural towns and Croydon, which could be threatened by closer integration with London. This is evident in the article "Russell Curtis: Croydon's Conservative Mayor has put suburban resistance before home building", which discusses the resistance to development at the fringes of Croydon.

2. Concerns Over Development and Green Belt Land: There is significant opposition to building on green belt land around London, as highlighted in the Financial Times article "UK housing: a crisis in the Conservative heartlands". This opposition is rooted in the desire to protect the countryside and prevent urban sprawl.

3. Local Governance and Autonomy: Conservative MPs may be concerned about the loss of local governance and autonomy that could result from closer ties with London, as suggested by the Hansard record of a debate on London, where the impact of Greater London Council decisions on local constituents is discussed.

4. Political Representation: There may be concerns about how integration could affect political representation and the balance of power within the Conservative Party, as hinted at in the article "backbench debate within the conservative party", which discusses the role of Europeanists and broader Conservative attitudes towards integration.

These factors suggest that the opposition is multifaceted, involving concerns about local identity, development, governance, and political representation. The images provided in the search results, such as those showing Croydon's Old Town Hall and the London skyline, further illustrate the contrast between urban and semi-rural areas that Conservative MPs may be trying to preserve.