The Mayor of London has condemned the far Right and urged progressives to ‘unapologetically positive case for controlled immigration’.
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, attacked ‘cruel, callous and deeply dangerous’ rhetoric (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has positioned himself as a champion of immigration as rivals prepare for the battle to succeed him. Mr Khan launched a blistering attack on the “hysteria, hatred and fearmongering of the far Right”. He issued a clarion call for progressives to “reset the immigration debate”, claiming the “drastic fall in legal migration” presents a “unique opportunity”.
His call to resist a “race to the bottom” will be seen as both a rebuke to fellow Labour politicians who seek to appear tough on immigration and to Right-wing politicians who plan to compete against him in the 2028 mayoral elections.
Mr Khan took aim at the far Right in a social media post, saying: “They paint a dystopian picture of London as a city that’s fallen. And let’s be frank – they do so because they can’t stand what London represents – a city that’s diverse, progressive and thriving.
“Their rhetoric isn’t just false – it’s cruel, callous and deeply dangerous. That’s why we must fight back against this narrative that diversity is inherently bad for our society, and therefore all immigration is too.”
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp criticised the Mayor of London’s intervention, saying: “Sadiq Khan is totally out of touch.”
Mr Philp attacked a “lamentable failure to integrate – as evidenced in some parts of London”. And he claimed some “nationalities have incredibly low levels of economic activity and ultimately become benefit dependent”.
He said: “We need far lower levels of immigration – and only from people who will actually make an economic contribution. Those here on temporary visas who are not making an economic contribute should leave when their visa expires.”
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said the Mayor was ‘totally out of touch’ (Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
Mr Khan defended immigration saying: “There’s a clear path that could allow us to: highlight the benefits of immigration; be open about the type and level we need; reject the relentless demonisation of immigrants and the race to the bottom, which is sending shivers of fear through our communities; and ensure people know that we’ll always put control, compassion and contribution at the heart of our approach.”
He added: “It falls to us to win this battle of ideas. To make an unapologetically positive case for controlled immigration.”
Reform UK has high hopes for the May local elections and Laila Cunningham has been selected as the mayoral candidate. Bookmakers Ladbrokes put her in the 9/4 slot to win the election, with Mr Khan on 5/2 and Conservative MP James Cleverly, who has not declared any intention to run, on 10/1.
Laila Cunningham is Reform UK’s mayoral candidate (Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
