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.