Mayoralty

  • Is Khan’s London brand running thin?

    Sir Khan, the Mayor of London, has made a big thing of pumping it as a welcoming place. He regularly declares it open, despite its record breaking passenger stats. It’s a good time to be alive, in Mayoral terms, and don’t we all know it by now.

    However, his focus on minority issues lacks in proportion to the largest city in the UK. It has a population of over eight million people and yet Sir Khan makes sure 15-20% feel like it. His ‘community is unity’ brand is not making waves where it matters.

    The fact is Londoners like it when it’s their tradition, culture, or religion on show. The act of pulling in others to celebrate is becoming part of the fabric of it. An event like Loved and Wanted sounds like a party in Soho, not a day out for the family.

    The vastness of its enterprise expanding up says otherwise. There are more and more coming to work but also to eat, spend time, and play in its pubs, riverside eateries, and sky high restaurants. The local areas need more investment, not new moments.

  • The controversies of London

    London is a big city, with big voices and personalities. It’s guided by its most ardent supporters – and vocal critics. In recent years, the Mayor of London has emerged as a chief defender of our capital.

    However, on a backdrop of soaring investment, and signs of a rapidly expanding base of global brands and iconic innovations, its journalistic output is sketchy.

    It offers a patchwork, spread between some new but many existing news brands. We know about the buyouts, the moves, and even new hires, but what about the quality?

    Is this what’s lacking? I imagine – as do most of us – that a Mayor would agree our writers at the top of publications, outlets, and news studios could do better.

    The trials and travails of the Mayor’s we’ve had are now lore. They’ve tried to boost investment, fight crime, and give a positive image of the city, only to be beaten back by the media.

    London is a proud city, and hopeful about its future. It’s a shame that morning after morning, and now all day, it’s talked down to the ground.

  • Arise, Sir Khan

    The news is that London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, is set to receive a knighthood. It’s thanks to Sir Keir Starmer, himself a recipient of the award, and a proud bearer of it.

    Therefore Khan joins the elite, and highly honoured, in the UK. It’s a far cry from gruelling campaigns and the relentless criticism that he’s had to put up with of late.