Sadiq Khan Launches Scathing Attack on Political Opponents Over London Criticism
In a powerful and impassioned address, the Mayor of London has directly accused both Reform UK and the Conservative Party of harbouring deep-seated resentment toward the capital city and what it represents in modern Britain. Sadiq Khan delivered his stinging rebuke during a keynote speech at the Fabian Society's annual conference, where he positioned himself as a defender of London's values against what he described as rising far-right populism.
A City Under Political Attack
Mr Khan asserted that political opponents are deliberately painting a "dystopian picture" of London as a city that has somehow declined or fallen from grace. He argued this narrative is constructed not from evidence but from ideological opposition to the capital's fundamental character. "They paint a dystopian picture of London as a city that's fallen," Khan stated. "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."
Linking UK Politics to European Far-Right Movements
The Mayor drew explicit parallels between the rhetoric of Reform UK and the Conservatives and that of far-right parties gaining ground across Europe. He specifically mentioned France's National Rally, Germany's Alternative for Germany (AfD), the Netherlands' Party for Freedom (PVV), and Italy's Brothers of Italy as movements spreading similar messages. "Over here, Reform and the Tories are dancing to the same tune," he declared, suggesting a coordinated ideological assault on multiculturalism.
Khan further referenced what he called the "preposterous claim" in a recent White House national security document suggesting Europe faced "civilisational erasure," arguing this type of language fuels dangerous narratives. He warned that the core idea that societies can be simultaneously diverse, united, and prosperous is "under threat like never before" due to this resurgence of nativist politics.
Defending Immigration and London's Success
In a robust defence of both London and immigration, Khan urged his Labour colleagues to join him in championing the benefits that migrants bring to the United Kingdom. He described London's undeniable success as the "greatest city in the world" as a direct refutation of his critics' worldview. "The fact that this is the greatest city in the world makes a mockery of their entire worldview," he argued.
He accused political opponents of constructing lies, manufacturing enemies, and pitting citizens against each other for cynical political gain. "They stoke fear by blaming 'the other' for all of society's ills," Khan said, labelling such rhetoric as "cruel, callous and deeply dangerous."
The Positive Case for a Multicultural Capital
The Mayor made an emotional case for immigration, directly linking London's cultural and economic vibrancy to generations of newcomers. "The truth is that generations of migrants – including many refugees - have helped to create the magical city we're in today," he stated. He provided tangible examples, from the diversity of cuisine and fashion to artistic masterpieces and musical innovation, as evidence that immigration has enriched British life.
"London is living proof that immigration has made our lives richer, not poorer," Khan concluded, framing the current political debate as a fundamental battle over the country's future identity and values. His speech represents a significant escalation in the political war of words over immigration, diversity, and the soul of the capital.
