Sir Sadiq Khan has launched an attack on Reform UK and the Conservative Party for “dancing to the tune of the far-right”.
Speaking at a conference for left-wing think tank the Fabian Society, the Labour Mayor of London took aim at his political opponents and the rise of “far-right populism” across Europe.
In a speech at the society’s new year conference, Sir Sadiq encouraged individuals not to “be afraid to highlight the enormous benefits of immigration”.
He said: “I’m going to use my speech this afternoon to talk about some issues that have become contentious and weighed heavily on our politics over recent years: immigration and integration.
“I do so not only because these issues are so fundamental to the story of my city and its continued success, but because they go to the heart of our values and who we are as a nation.
“The resurgence of far-right populism and nativism means that the idea that we can be diverse, united and prosperous is under threat like never before.
“The White House’s National Security Strategy recently made the preposterous claim that Europe is at risk of civilisation erasure.
“The far-right is spreading the same message in Europe with the National Rally in France, the AfD in Germany, the PVV in the Netherlands and the Brothers of Italy.
The Labour Mayor said the parties attempt to paint a ‘dystopian picture of London as a fallen city’
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“Over here, Reform and the Tories are dancing to the same tune. They paint a dystopian picture of London as a city that has fallen.
“And let us be frank, they do so because they can’t stand what London represents. A city that’s diverse, that’s progressive and thriving with a Mayor who happens to be a Muslim.”
He continued: “The fact that this is the greatest city in the world makes a mockery of their entire worldview.
“So they construct lies, seek to manufacture an enemy, pit citizens against one another for political gain, and stoke fear by blaming ‘the other’ for all of society’s ills.
Laila Cunningham will challenge Sadiq Khan | PA
“This 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.”
The attack on the right-wing parties has come just a fortnight after Reform chief Nigel Farage unveiled Laila Cunningham as his party’s future mayoral candidate to succeed Sir Sadiq.
Like the Mayor, Mrs Cunningham is also a practicing Muslim and has often spoken out about the abuse she has suffered as a result of her faith.
The pair have often locked horns over the state of the capital, with the Reform bigwig accusing Sir Sadiq of “acting like a bystander” amid skyrocketing crime rates.
Earlier this month, she told GB News: “We are living in a rape epidemic, knife crime epidemic, shoplifting, robbery, you name it. And frankly, Londoners shouldn’t have to put up with it anymore because the first duty of a Mayor is to keep us safe.”
But Mrs Cunningham is not alone in her scathing criticism of crimes rates under the Labour Mayor.
Sir Sadiq and Donald Trump have harboured a long-running rivalry, with the President saying during his state visit: “I think he’s done a terrible job. Crime in London is through the roof.”
But, fanning the flames of the ongoing feud, Sir Sadiq called Mr Trump a “bully” after the US President doubled down on his claim the Mayor was “horrible, vicious, disgusting”.
The Republican, who the Labour Mayor called “obsessed”, also claimed the politician was only successful because there were “so many” immigrants in london.