A year has passed since Sadiq Khan succeeded Boris Johnson as mayor of London.
To mark this landmark, we asked our readers how they thought he’s been getting on - and received a cautious thumbs up. While many were impressed with Khan as an ambassador for London, particularly impressed with how he reacted to the Brexit vote and the Westminster terror attack, questions were raised over Khan’s ability to tackle London’s housing and air quality crises in particular.
Below, we share some of our readers’ views on Khan’s first year - and on what he should be concentrating on for the remainder of his term.
‘I don’t want my kids growing up in a city without diversity’
Bus hopper: great, garden bridge cut finally: great, stalled cycle lanes and air quality improvements: not at all great. Attempts to protect the rights of European citizens, as well as jobs are commendable, it’s good that someone is still fighting for the majority of Londoners who voted remain.
European workers rights and clean air must be his priorities. I don’t want my kids growing up in a city without diversity or the ability to breathe.
James Linkins, 29, Stockwell
‘London’s housing market is broken’
I’m not impressed so far. Other than opening the night tube and freezing ticket prices on TFL. I can’t think of anything else he has done to make me sit up and notice.
One of the major issues is housing. I understand that new homes cannot spring up overnight but the weakness of any mayor is that their hands are tied by the market and the developers dictating the percentage of affordable units they will allow in their new builds.
I would have hoped by the end of his first year a concrete plan would have been put into place to create new housing districts, all affordable to hard working people, couples and families so that they can be lifted out of the overpriced renting market.
If Khan could get in control of the broken housing market in London and really provide what the majority of us need, then his mayoral term would be a success.
Brian Dayle, 42, south London
‘The impression of quiet, confident competence’
I get the impression of quiet, confident competence. It’s almost technocratic - we all agreed that the person most qualified for the job was the person who should get it. I haven’t heard any negative feedback or scandalous stories from my social media echo chamber. In many ways, he’s everything I would like in an opposition party to the Conservatives. It’s a shame we’ve been lumped with Labour and the Lib Dems in their current state.
He comes across as someone who has put the day-to-day responsibilities of his job above petty politics. When he makes a statement, it comes across as necessary - no posturing. It’s a breath of fresh air compared to the caricatures populating today’s political landscape.
James Lamont, 28, Wandsworth
‘His statements have been statesmanlike’
He’s done ok. It’s easy for me to forget that my transport is cheaper as a result of his election, as the prices have not changed, but they almost certainly would have increased under another mayor. His statements following the Brexit vote and the Westminster terror attack were both statesmanlike, and befitting of the mayor of a major global city.
He pledged in his campaign to make a real difference on air quality in London, yet no action has happened as of yet. It’s hard to tell how much of this is down to him, and how much is down to the difficulties of doing anything quickly. I fully supported his decision to block the Garden Bridge.
Ryan Loonan, 23, Finsbury Park
‘He’s not a miracle worker’
My primary disappointment with Sadiq Khan is he hasn’t somehow orchestrated London’s divorce from England and managed to negotiate a sweetheart deal with Brussels for an independent London to remain a member of the EU. Sadly, he’s not a miracle worker.
I’m obviously joking. Sort of.
Khan can only do so much. London needs more housing for ordinary Londoners, cleaner air, a pedestrianised Oxford Street, Crossrail 2, and so much more. Without mountains of cash it doesn’t matter what Khan’s policies are or how good he is at executing them.
Michael, 43, Clerkenwell
‘I expect him to deliver more’
I think his achievements have predominately been around messaging (on air pollution, the EU, terrorism) rather than action - but think perhaps this is to be expected at this stage. I would expect him to deliver more next year.
For someone young, moderately left wing, and pro-European like me, stands almost alone amongst English politicians in not just sharing my views, but also having power. He has enormous symbolic importance, and that he stands for us makes me proud to be a Londoner. I think this also makes me more forgiving of his slower progress at times.
Anonymous NHS worker, 28, London
‘He’s taken an avowedly pro-European, pro-immigrant line’
In the aftermath of Brexit he’s taken an avowedly pro-multicultural, pro-European, pro-immigrant line, recognising that London benefits hugely from its status as a diverse, open city. His pulling of the plug on the Garden Bridge ended an embarrassing chapter for the city and removed one of his predecessor’s more questionable legacies.
I also like his pro-environment proposals, and was impressed by his being literally the first major politician in Britain I’ve ever seen to speak out in favour of a strong nightlife - more than most politicians he actually seems to care about the interests of young people.
Hugo Gordon, 26, Brixton
