Sir Sadiq Khan has warned that the next Prime Minister must invest in London for the good of the country. The London Mayor spoke out as Andy Burnham was heading back to Parliament and could take over in No10 within weeks after the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer.
Khan Praises Starmer's Contribution
Fellow lawyer Sir Sadiq praised Sir Keir, the former head of the Crown Prosecution Service, as a “man of great integrity” and for making a “huge contribution” to the Labour Party. Former Greater Manchester Mayor Mr Burnham, who has faced accusations of being anti-London, is widely expected to succeed Sir Keir.
Investment Warning
In a sign of possible political battles ahead, Sir Sadiq stressed: “It's crucial that the new Labour leader invests in every part of the country. This includes London, which is central to delivering for the rest of the country. We must use the potential of our capital to boost the national economy and raise living standards - for the benefit of Londoners and people right across the country.”
Burnham's Next Steps
Mr Burnham is now expected to start the process of choosing a Cabinet before laying out some broad policy platforms. The warning from Khan underscores the tension between London and northern regions, with Burnham having previously advocated for rebalancing investment away from the capital.
