In a move that has ignited widespread outrage, London’s beleaguered Mayor, Sadiq Khan, is reportedly set to receive a knighthood in the New Year’s Honours list. This anticipated accolade for ‘political and public service’ has left many Londoners and political figures fuming, as they grapple with the Mayor’s contentious tenure marked by soaring crime rates, a deepening housing crisis, and the widely despised expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez).
Neil Garratt, leader of the London Assembly Conservatives, didn’t mince words: ‘Many are accusing the Government of rewarding Sadiq for failure—although with so many failures under his belt, it might be an accumulator award.’
Former Tory MP Anna Firth echoed this sentiment, stating, ‘Let’s be absolutely clear, it’s the people of London that deserve a knighthood for putting up with Sadiq Khan.’
Khan, who secured a record third term in May, has been a Labour politician for over two decades, including a stint as a minister under former Prime Minister Gordon Brown. However, his time at City Hall has been anything but smooth. The capital has witnessed a disturbing surge in knife crime, with residents feeling increasingly unsafe on their own streets. The housing crisis has worsened, leaving countless families in precarious living conditions. Moreover, Khan’s relentless push to expand the Ulez scheme has been met with fierce resistance, as it imposes additional financial burdens on already struggling Londoners.
The Mayor’s recent proposal to offer Tube drivers a four-day working week to avert strike action has only added fuel to the fire. Under this plan, drivers would work 35 hours a week—two and a half hours fewer than their current schedule—and receive a 3.8% pay rise. This move has been criticised as capitulating to union demands at the expense of taxpayers and commuters.
The prospect of knighting Khan has also drawn sharp rebuke from media outlets. The Sun lambasted the decision, asserting that ‘a knighthood for the capital’s inept yet vainglorious Mayor Sadiq Khan would be an insult to Londoners.’ The article further described Khan as ‘a woke egomaniac for whom image is everything and delivery nothing,’ highlighting his failures in addressing street crime and public transport issues.
The Times reported that Khan is expected to be honoured alongside other senior Labour and Conservative figures, including Emily Thornberry, who is likely to receive a damehood.
However, the inclusion of Khan in this esteemed list has been met with incredulity. Critics argue that bestowing such an honour upon a figure whose tenure has been fraught with controversy undermines the integrity of the honours system and sends a disheartening message to the public.
As Londoners grapple with the daily realities of increased crime, housing shortages, and contentious policies, the notion of their Mayor being knighted feels like a slap in the face. The sentiment on the streets is clear: rewarding failure is not the path to a better London.
In the court of public opinion, it seems that Sir Sadiq’s knighthood is anything but a crowning achievement.
