News that Sadiq Khan is set to receive a knighthood in the King’s New Year Honours List will surprise many Londoners, particularly those in Uxbridge & South Ruislip.
As someone who has campaigned tirelessly against Khan’s policies, I find this recognition difficult to reconcile with his record as Mayor of London. Take, for instance Uxbridge Police Station.
In 2017, Khan announced its closure which saw a 6-year campaign by local Conservatives to keep it open. During the 2023 Uxbridge by-election – Khan performed a spectacular U-turn in announcing the Station would be re-opened just days before by-election polling day.
This promise (or election bribe) that was never fulfilled. The station remains shut, leaving a critical gap in local policing. How can someone who failed to deliver on such a vital issue for public safety be deemed worthy of such an honour?
Then there’s Khan’s relentless push to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), a policy that has hit hard-working families and small businesses in outer London.
ULEZ may be touted as an environmental measure, but for many, it feels like a punitive tax on those who cannot afford newer vehicles.
In Uxbridge, residents overwhelmingly rejected ULEZ expansion in the by-election, sending a clear message to City Hall.
Khan’s response? Press ahead regardless, showing a worrying disregard for democracy and the voices of Londoners who are being left to shoulder the cost of his green agenda.
Knighthoods are traditionally awarded for exceptional service to the nation, yet Khan’s tenure has been marked by rising crime, faltering housing delivery, and contentious transport policies.
While he may have garnered attention on the global stage with his advocacy for progressive causes, his stewardship of London has been nothing short of devastating.
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Honours should reflect tangible achievements that benefit the public, not reward politicians who impose damaging policies while ignoring the concerns of the people they serve.
For those of us in Uxbridge and beyond, this announcement feels like an insult, a rubber stamp on years of unfulfilled promises and heavy-handed governance.
In the end, Sadiq Khan’s legacy will not be defined by titles or accolades but by the impact of his decisions on ordinary Londoners.
For many, that legacy is one of disappointment and frustration. A knighthood may polish his reputation in some quarters, but for countless residents, it does little to mask the realities of his time in office.
It’s time for leaders to be held accountable for their records, not rewarded despite them.