Londoners deserve better than Sadiq Khan’s empty gestures – The Property Chronicle
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Londoners deserve better than Sadiq Khan’s empty gestures While Sadiq Khan indulges in foreign policy, the Mayor is neglecting his proper role

Political Insider

The capital had just welcomed in 2019 with a fireworks display that its Mayor, Sadiq Khan, couldn’t resist politicising. The London Eye was lit up in the colours of the EU flag to show his opposition to Brexit. Surely New Year’s Eve should not be a time to exploit political divisions. It should be when we all come together, cross arms, hold hands with our neighbour and sing Auld Lang Syne.

The fireworks should be for all Londoners to enjoy. Not just the 2,263,519 who voted Remain, but also the 1,513,232 who voted Leave. After all, everyone who lives in the capital is expected to pay for them. (Incidentally that figure of 1.5 million Londoners who voted Leave was higher than the 1.3 million Londoners (including second preferences) who voted Khan.)

Khan offered a variety of flimsy defences for his nakedly political gesture, arguing that it would “celebrate diversity” and show the world that the capital is “still open for business”. He also suggested it would show EU citizens that after Brexit they will be welcome to stay in London.

Yet by suggesting that anybody has proposed otherwise it actually implies such matters are in doubt. There is also the muddle of supposedly offering reassurance about Brexit when the Mayor is still campaigning to prevent it taking place.

If we really must be so crass as to have a fireworks display devoted to Brexit it should have been global rather than Eurocentric. The message should be that London is an international city. Confident and outward-looking, open to doing business with the entire planet. The welcoming spirit will certainly continue for those who have made their home here from other EU states — as it will for those from elsewhere.

Mayor Khan has shown great energy when it comes to photo opportunities. He has always got time for a selfie. Amidst the gimmickry and gestures, great effort has been made to give an impression of activity. New units, commissions, taskforces, panels, working parties, Czars, and champions. Seldom will a day have gone by without the well-staffed City Hall press office having announced something.






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