London Mayor Sadiq Khan is set to be burned in effigy at a bonfire night event in Edenbridge, Kent, on November 4, in protest against his expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez). The 36-foot effigy, organised by Edenbridge Bonfire Society, depicts Khan holding a Ulez sign and tickets for London's New Year's Eve fireworks, with traffic signs on his clothing.
The society, which has been running celebrity effigies for 25 years, said Khan was chosen by popular demand over other contenders including Suella Braverman and Russell Brand. Chairman Bill Cummings stated that the Ulez expansion has affected many residents and businesses in the town, which lies about nine miles from the zone, without offering them support.
The Ulez scheme, launched in 2019 to reduce air pollution, charges drivers of the most polluting vehicles a daily fee to enter the zone, which now covers all London boroughs within the M25. Critics argue it imposes financial burdens on those living outside London but reliant on the capital.
The effigy will be paraded through Edenbridge High Street in a torch-lit carnival procession involving 550 people, with nearly 10,000 attendees expected. Previous effigies have included figures such as Liz Truss, Boris Johnson, Harvey Weinstein, and Saddam Hussein. The event raises thousands of pounds for local charities.
