The starting gun for the London Mayoral election has been fired. The Labour frontrunner for the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan who has a 6-point lead in the latest poll, has said that not only he would make London's homes genuinely affordable for people, but has also promised to promote a Metropolitan police force that looks like the communities it serves.
Khan was at the All hallows on the Wall, a home of the urban youth charity XLP on last Wednesday when Asian Voice got an opportunity to have an exclusive interview with him.
“I will be a Mayor for all Londoners and that means I am committed to promoting a police force that looks like the communities it serves,” he said.
He added, “If elected Mayor in May I will promote a Metropolitan Police force which reflects the city it is charged with keeping safe, with the aim of having a Met that is as diverse as London’s population.
“Under the Tories, neighbourhood policing has been decimated and it has become harder for the police to do their job. Because of the Tory cuts, many communities have ended up feeling less safe with local police out and about on the beat a rare sight. Breaking the link between communities and the police and, weakening confidence in the police makes it less likely BAME (Black Asian Minority Ethnic) Londoners join the Met as a career option.
“With me as Mayor the police will always have the support they need. I will ensure frontline police have the resources to do the job, including investment in 21st century technology so they can be a modern police force. I will also ensure a greater police presence on public transport at key times to help combat violence against women and girls and implement a strategy to combat the knife crime that blights our city.
“The opportunity will be open to any Londoner who has been staying in the city for 3-5 years, particularly recruited from areas that are high on ethnic minority, encouraging the local population to join, and also mentoring them as needed.”
His statement comes in the wake of a gruesome terror attack that killed more than 38 people and injured many more in Brussels, increasing security risks and chances of an increase of hate crimes in all major metropolitan cities of Europe, especially in London.
While he has faced severe problems from parties like UKIP for being a Muslim himself, Khan thinks terrorism like the one that shook Brussels or Paris has nothing to do with Islam.
“The attack on Brussels was an attack on our way of life, an attack on our values. They hate the fact that Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Sikhs, Buddhists, people of all faith get along so well together. They hate the fact that we are integrated. They hate the fact that you could be a British, a Londoner as well be a Muslim. The best way to defy them is to show that you are a Londoner and you are diverse. I have two teenage daughters and there is no other city in the world that I will raise my daughters in. It is deeply worrying that there is a rise of hate crime, Islamophobia, anti-semitism, homo-phobia – and there should be absolute zero tolerance on these issues. However I have total faith in Londoners – and I proudly say that are very open minded and progressive.”
Discussing Opponent’s Campaign Policies
While Khan boasts of a unity in diversity among Londoners, it is Zac Goldsmith – his Tory opponent who has allegedly been on a spree of community-based divisive campaign during this election.
In fact, Prime Minister David Cameron, who has sent out letters in support of Goldsmith's campaign, has been accused of 'racial profiling' and criticised for sending out such letters targeted at London’s Gujarati Hindu and Punjabi Sikh voters, calling on them to back the Conservative mayoral candidate, Zac Goldsmith, at a time when we need “to be keeping our streets safe from terrorist attacks”.
Talking about Goldsmith's campaign, Sadiq told Asian Voice, “In London's Mayoral Election history never has one witnessed such divisive campaign. The audacity of this man to divide our communities to win the election is outrageous. In the context of the Paris bombing in November, to describe a candidate who is clearly of Islamic faith is radical and divisive. What are you implying? No other mainstream candidate – Ken Livingstone, Boris Johnson, Steven Norris – nobody has stooped to this level. I thought Zac Goldsmith is better than this. The Zac Goldsmith who I knew before this election, would never allow these things to happen.”
Sadiq for SMEs & Students
However Khan is aware that no city can ever grow unless its business community has a chance to grow. To support the British Indian businessmen, including Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Sadiq ensured that he is the most pro-business Mayor London could have.
“I used to help run a successful business so I know what it takes and what a big responsibility it is.” he said.
“With me as Mayor, business will always have a seat at the table and a BIG say in the best way forward for our city.
“Running a business myself, I have had sleepless nights thinking if the bank managers would do the overdraft, worrying over if I would pay the bills at the end of the month, worrying about business rates and taxes, and skilled staff – I know what it is like, and I have experienced the sacrifices the businesses make.
“I recognise the fact that 99% of London's businesses are SMEs. Half of Londoners – 52% work for SMEs. I want to set up a business advisory board of business experts to advise me on my business policies and that would include SMEs. We are going to set up 'Skills for Londoners'– so that today's Londoners have the skills for tomorrow. Thirdly I am going to lobby the government to change their unfair visa rule. They are causing huge problems for skilled migrants. Fourthly, one of the great things about London is that students come here to study and then stay, work, pay tax and national insurance. It's a source of pride that world leaders like Nehru, Gandhi, Mandela, Aung San Suu Kyi, Bill Clinton have come to London to study.
“India trades more with the UK than all the EU countries put together. Offering minority languages is very important too.
“The next Mayor is going to be in-charge of business rates. I want to give SMEs discounts on business rates, to help them expand and bring a digital revolution in London – make broadband one of the major utilities.
“Moreover the staff always complain that the cost of housing and transport in London is too high. That's why I am setting up homes for London – helping Londoners genuinely buy. We are going to stop developers from selling off-plan to overseas investors. The first 6 months they will have to market in the city, so that Londoners can avail them first – serving their needs and housing crisis.
“I also have a fully funded package to freeze fair for the coming four years. And all these policies come from my experience.”
He also identified the issue of visa restrictions for foreign students leading to a fall in their numbers coming to the UK, damaging London's economy or cultural heritage. Sadiq believes that these international students are Britain's best ambassadors to their native countries, and like Mayor Boris Johnson or even Secretary Sajid Javid, he endorses a change of rule, believing that could do London immense good.
Team Sadiq
There is a little over month left to this battle of control over London and Sadiq is of course not alone on this journey. He is surrounded by a very capable team, that includes names like: David Bellamy, campaign manager- bringing extensive private sector experience to the campaign; Patrick Hennessy, communications director- The highly respected spin doctor, a former journalist who jumped from the Sunday Telegraph to become Labour’s deputy director of communications under Ed Miliband; Jack Stenner, political director, Team Khan’s bright, energetic, urban and still in twenties chief strategist who helped Sadiq’s victory over Tessa Jowell; Dr Nick Bowes, policy director- The brains behind Sadiq’s “Manifesto for Londoners”; Leah Kreitzman, senior adviser- a useful link to London’s Jewish community, Alison Picton, senior adviser, a diary and office manager combined; Rajesh Agrawal, business adviser- The British Indian entrepreneur and philanthropist, who defended Labour against “anti-business” accusations, helping Sadiq woo the City; Ellie Robinson, stakeholder director- in charge of getting him together with London’s huge range of interest groups and Saadiya Ahmed, the wife- a human rights lawyer, who has supported Khan's political career from the start- the successful woman behind this successful man.
