Sadiq Khan

Sadiq Khan argues that deadly heatwaves, wildfires, drought and rising climate-related disruption demonstrate the urgent reality of the climate emergency. He defends London’s green policies, including tree planting, expanded green space, zero-emission buses and the Ultra Low Emission Zone, citing reduced emissions and air pollution. Khan rejects claims that climate action is a luxury or that it is too late to act, warning that climate inaction will worsen the cost-of-living crisis and endanger ordinary people. He calls on national governments, including the UK government, to reaffirm net-zero commitments, reduce reliance on oil and gas, and invest in adaptation and clean-energy projects.

Sadiq Khan argues that portrayals of London as dystopian and dangerous are driven by disinformation and negative media coverage rather than the facts. He cites Metropolitan Police data showing 35,000 fewer neighbourhood crimes over the past year, major reductions in Westminster neighbourhood crime and West End phone theft, and historically low homicide rates. Khan attributes the progress to increased police funding, enhanced technology, neighbourhood policing and the Violence Reduction Unit’s preventive work, while acknowledging that crime remains a serious concern and urging continued investment in policing and social programmes. He concludes by assuring potential visitors that London is safe, diverse and ready to welcome tourists.

Air pollution causes more than 8 million deaths annually but can be reduced through decisive city-level action. London reached legal roadside nitrogen-dioxide limits far sooner than projected after expanding air-quality monitoring, introducing the ultra-low-emission zone and deploying zero-emission buses; research also links the Ulez to fewer hospital admissions. New York has likewise reduced pollution to a 50-year low. The authors argue that these results benefit health, the climate and economic investment, and describe the Bloomberg Philanthropies-led Breathe Cities program, which is deploying sensors and supporting clean-air zones in cities including Accra and Nairobi.

Sadiq Khan argues that Jewish Londoners are living under heightened fear because of a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents and recent attacks, including the terror attack in Golders Green. He outlines increased police deployments in north-west London and calls for dedicated long-term government funding to expand neighbourhood and firearms teams, establish a community policing hub in Barnet and add hate-crime investigators. Khan also urges stronger action against people who incite hatred at protests, investigation of possible links to the Iranian state, and sustained investment in education and prevention programmes involving the Anne Frank Trust UK, Tech Against Terrorism and Maccabi GB. He appeals to Londoners and anti-racist organisations to stand in solidarity with Jewish communities and says he will continue working to make them feel safe.

Sadiq Khan argues that Labour’s poor third-place result in the Gorton and Denton by-election reflects a wider fragmentation of progressive politics and should prompt a fundamental change in strategy. He says Labour must stop taking liberal and progressive voters for granted, clarify its commitment to equality, fairness, social justice and internationalism, and avoid competing with Reform UK on the right. Khan credits Keir Starmer’s government with improvements including reduced NHS waiting times, expanded childcare, stronger workers’ rights and economic progress, but says these achievements have been overshadowed by political positioning on Brexit, migration and Gaza. Drawing on his record as London mayor—including Ulez, free school meals, council-house building and crime prevention—he advocates bold progressive policies and a coalition with Green voters, while opposing a change of Labour leadership.

Sadiq Khan argues that London is not a lawless “warzone,” citing the capital’s historically low per-capita homicide rate, declining youth knife-assault hospital admissions and comparisons with other major cities. He attributes the progress to increased funding for the Metropolitan Police, enforcement against gangs and county-lines operations, and prevention initiatives led by the Violence Reduction Unit. Khan rejects crime claims made by Donald Trump, Nigel Farage and Reform UK’s London mayoral candidate as alarmist, while acknowledging that violence remains a serious problem and that poverty, inequality and limited opportunities must still be addressed.

Sadiq Khan warns that rising antisemitic and anti-Muslim hate crimes are manifestations of deepening social divisions rather than isolated incidents. He argues that extremists and some politicians are exploiting fear to inflame tensions, placing Jewish and Muslim communities at greater risk. Drawing on London’s interfaith initiatives, including Mitzvah Day, Khan calls for religious communities to unite around shared charitable values and for London to remain a city where people of all faiths and none can live openly and safely.

Sadiq Khan argues that a large far-right march in London, including attacks on police and support from Elon Musk, reflects the spread of divisive politics that leaders have failed to confront. He urges Londoners and the UK government to reject fearmongering, xenophobia and nativism while maintaining an honest relationship with Donald Trump. Khan calls on Trump to support Ukraine, address climate change, end tariff wars and pressure Israel to stop its assault on Gaza, while defending London as a diverse, safe and globally successful city whose liberal democratic values remain strong.

Sadiq Khan argues that 20mph speed limits substantially reduce deaths and serious injuries without materially increasing journey times. He cites Transport for London research showing a 34% reduction in people killed or seriously injured on London borough roads, alongside similar results in Wales. Khan highlights London’s wider road-safety and environmental policies, including school streets, protected cycle routes, the Ulez and lorry direct-vision standards, and urges remaining London boroughs to adopt default 20mph limits in pursuit of Vision Zero by 2041.

Sadiq Khan and Anne Hidalgo argue that organized, well-funded climate disinformation is undermining effective policies in London, Paris and elsewhere by exploiting economic frustrations, social-media outrage and culture-war narratives. They cite Paris’s pedestrianized Seine riverbanks and London’s ultra-low emission zone as examples of measures that have improved air quality and public health despite backlash and vandalism. As leaders of C40 Cities and the Global Covenant of Mayors, they pledge to build trusted local messengers, train leaders and develop tools to counter misinformation. They call on governments, journalists, educators and technology companies to strengthen platform accountability, media literacy and evidence-based reporting ahead of COP30.

Sadiq Khan argues that liberal democracies face a defining threat from resurgent far-right movements, which exploit economic insecurity, distrust in institutions and social media-driven polarization. He proposes a three-part response: force social media companies to tackle hate and misinformation, challenge mainstream politicians who normalize far-right language, and improve living standards and public services so democracy can deliver for working people. Khan criticizes Elon Musk and Meta, points to London policies such as free school meals, fare freezes, skills training and social housing, and urges governments to defend inclusion, equality and democratic values before extremist politics becomes further normalized.

Grace Dent interviews London mayor Sadiq Khan for the Comfort Eating podcast. Khan discusses his upbringing in south London as one of eight children of British Pakistani parents, his career as the MP for Tooting, and his tenure as mayor since 2016. The conversation also covers food, election habits and where he might take Donald Trump for dinner.

Sadiq Khan argues that London’s universal free primary school meals programme has improved children’s health, concentration and enjoyment of school while reducing financial stress, stigma and dinner-money debt for families. An independent report found that families saved more than £1,000 per child, with 84% reporting improved household finances, and that schools became calmer and more productive. Khan presents the policy as a model for tackling child poverty and welcomes Labour’s commitments to increased school funding, rebuilding schools, higher teacher pay and expanded breakfast clubs, while blaming 14 years of Conservative rule for worsening poverty and inequality.

Sadiq Khan defends London’s expansion of the ultra-low emission zone, arguing that it will improve air quality, protect public health, reduce congestion and help address climate change. He says most vehicles in outer London already meet the emissions standards and highlights a £160m scrappage scheme and expanded public transport to ease the transition. Khan accuses the Conservatives of turning ULEZ into a divisive political weapon to distract from their record in government, while stressing that robust, good-faith debate about the policy remains welcome.

London mayor Sadiq Khan describes how developing adult-onset asthma and meeting air-pollution campaigner Rosamund Kissi-Debrah changed his environmental outlook. His expansion of the ultra-low emission zone remains controversial, and the programme examines whether green policies can win him a third term. It also considers Khan’s support for rent controls amid London’s housing crisis and whether he can reform the Metropolitan Police after Louise Casey’s report found institutional racism, misogyny and homophobia.

Sadiq Khan and Chris Skidmore argue that London’s record heat, wildfires and flooding foreshadow more severe climate disruption. They call for faster, cross-party action to achieve net zero, including renewable energy investment, home insulation, cleaner transport and stronger local leadership. The authors highlight London’s electric buses, cycling infrastructure, green investment and 2030 net-zero target, while defending the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone through support for affected residents and businesses. They contend that climate action can also deliver cleaner air, health savings, green jobs and economic growth, and urge politicians to resist climate-policy opponents and prioritize long-term public and environmental health over short-term political interests.

Five years after the Grenfell Tower fire killed 72 people, Sadiq Khan argues that justice and building-safety reforms remain seriously inadequate. He says the inquiry has exposed how profit, deregulation and institutional neglect contributed to the disaster, but notes that no one has been held fully accountable and dangerous cladding remains on high-rise buildings. Khan praises London’s safety measures and the London Fire Brigade’s progress while condemning the national government’s failure to implement inquiry recommendations, including legal personal emergency evacuation plans for residents requiring assistance. He calls for a national body to monitor the implementation of recommendations and warns that continued inaction could allow another disaster to occur.

Sadiq Khan argues that a succession of scandals has shattered Londoners’ confidence in the Metropolitan Police, recalling the racism and abuse he says communities experienced in the 1970s and 1980s. Citing the Operation Hotton report, the Sarah Everard case, misconduct involving the murders of Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman, and failures in the Stephen Port investigation, he says deep cultural problems require urgent action. Khan defends the Met’s crime-reduction record but insists that enforcement alone cannot address knife crime and that trust is essential to community cooperation. He says he forced a change in leadership and will support a new commissioner only if they acknowledge the scale of the problems and present a robust reform plan.

Air pollution is described as a preventable global health and climate crisis that disproportionately harms children, poorer families and ethnic minority communities. London’s expansion of its ultra-low-emission zone is presented as a model that has already reduced pollution and carbon emissions, alongside efforts to promote walking, cycling, public transport and cleaner vehicles. The authors call on cities and national governments attending COP26 to act rapidly and decisively, arguing that clean air is a basic right and that stronger action can protect health, reduce inequality and support a zero-carbon future.

Recent flooding in London demonstrates that the climate emergency is already affecting the UK, requiring stronger flood defences and more ambitious emissions reductions. Sadiq Khan highlights London's target of becoming carbon neutral by 2030, the expansion of the ultra-low emission zone, protected cycling lanes and low-traffic neighbourhoods. He argues that the UK government must provide greater leadership, funding and powers, while London continues investing in flood resilience, energy-efficient homes, green jobs and sustainable transport.