Sadiq Khan accuses Reform and Tories of hating what London represents
The Mayor of London accused Reform UK and the Conservatives of opposing London for being diverse, progressive and thriving, as well as for having a Muslim Mayor
Sadiq Khan accused London’s critics of resenting diversity(Image: GB NEWS)
Reform UK and the Tories can’t stand what London represents, Sadiq Khan has claimed.
The Mayor of London accused both parties of opposing London for being diverse, progressive and thriving, as well as for having a Muslim Mayor. In a speech at Fabian Society’s annual conference, Mr Khan also issued a rallying cry to his Labour colleagues, urging them join him in highlighting the benefits of immigration.
He said: “The resurgence of far-right populism and nativism means that the idea that we can be diverse, united and prosperous is under threat like never before. The White House’s ‘National Security Strategy’ recently made the preposterous claim that Europe is at risk of ‘civilisational erasure.’
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“The far-right is spreading the same message in Europe, with the National Rally in France, the AfD in Germany, the PVV in the Netherlands and the Brothers of Italy. Over here, Reform and the Tories are dancing to the same tune. They paint a dystopian picture of London as a city that’s fallen. And let’s be frank – they do so because they can’t stand what London represents – a city that’s diverse, progressive and thriving, with a Mayor who happens to be a Muslim.”
In a passionate defence of the capital, Mr Khan also claimed London’s critics were enraged by the city’s success. He said: “The fact that this is the greatest city in the world makes a mockery of their entire worldview. So they construct lies, seek to manufacture an enemy, pit citizens against one another for political gain, and stoke fear by blaming “the other” for all of society’s ills.
“This rhetoric isn’t just false – it’s cruel, callous and deeply dangerous. That’s why we must fight back against this narrative that diversity is inherently bad for our society, and therefore all immigration is too.”
On the need to be unafraid to put forward the positive case for immigration, Mr Khan added: “The truth is that generations of migrants – including many refugees – have helped to create the magical city we’re in today. From the food on our plates and clothes on our backs, to the masterpieces in our museums and the music in our streets, London is living proof that immigration has made our lives richer, not poorer.”
