London mayor will use an appearance at Saturday’s Pride march to reassure Europeans living in London that they are still welcome after Thursday’s Brexit vote.
Sadiq Khan will echo the words of Jo Cox, the MP who was killed outside her constituency office, and tell marchers to “focus on what unites us, rather than that which divides us”.
The capital bucked the English trend in voting to remain in the European Union, and Khan is expected to paint it as a city that has a record of tolerance that will stay after the vote.
“As mayor of a city where the large majority of people of all communities, faiths and backgrounds don’t simply tolerate each other, but respect, embrace and celebrate our diversity, I want to send a clear message to 1 million Europeans living in London. You are welcome,” he is expected to tell marchers.
Khan, who campaigned for Britain to remain a member of the 28-nation bloc, is expected to add: “As a city, we are grateful for the enormous contribution you make, and that will not change as a consequence of yesterday’s referendum result.”
He will say that the march underlines London’s “reputation as one of the most LGBT-friendly cities on the planet” and will seek to draw a parallel between its diversity and the spirit that should be shown towards people from other European countries who may now feel their positions under threat.
“In light of yesterday’s result and in the spirit of inclusiveness that binds the LGBT+ community – we all have a responsibility to now seek to heal the divisions that emerged throughout the last weeks and months of the referendum campaign,” he is expected to say.
