The election of a new mayor in London has concluded, and Sadiq Khan has secured an “historic” third term, according to news outlets here in the UK.
His win is secured on the back of surging prices of accommodation, outdated modes of policing that have led to surging knife crime and anti-social behaviour, and an uncertainty over the future of London itself.
It’s not clear yet what Khan will do with an “historic” third term. His legal background has so far stood him in good stead, allowing him the necessary skills to argue his way off difficult questions, and an opposition keen to take pot shots at his record in office.
A Tony Blair-style run is obviously impressive, but it doesn’t mean the problems have or will go away.
He needs to work hard on his legacy, because so far there is little to show for his social improvements in a city still struggling with homelessness; uncertainty over affordable accommodation; and student discontent that has spilled over into anarchy over Gaza, and many other issues.
The most telling characteristic is silence, a sense of a need to speak about matters in a civil and more public way.
The main characteristic of a Londoner (in my view) is what they have to say.
Yes, it’s a painful way of rebuke, but it’s a better way to address issues than just speaking through a representative.
Our way of democracy is by representation, but I fear this has superseded ordinary engagement that supports chambers that host debate.
I’ve no doubt others may see this too, but a question is if the Mayor will use his latest term to make way for a more public voice to rise above the noise of the traffic.
