Sadiq Khan Faces Backlash After Being Awarded Knighthood in the New Year Honours List Amid Growing Criticism of His Leadership in London

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, has been awarded a knighthood in the New Year Honours list, but the decision has sparked a wave of anger and accusations of a “reward for failure.”

Khan, a former Labour MP, received the prestigious title as part of the first batch of honours since Keir Starmer became Prime Minister.

Critics, particularly from the Conservative Party, have pointed to his record in office, highlighting issues such as the rise in knife crime, increased council tax, and controversial policies like congestion charges and emissions levies.

Outrage Over Khan’s Knighthood

Leading members of the Conservative Party quickly expressed their frustration over Khan’s knighthood.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp called it a “reward for failure,” referencing a 61% increase in knife crime, a housing crisis, and a 70% rise in council tax under Khan’s leadership.

Bob Blackman, Tory MP for Harrow East, added that Khan had failed to meet multiple targets on housing and crime during his time as mayor, branding him a “disaster” for London.

Khan’s critics are not alone in their opposition, as a Change.org petition to block his knighthood garnered over 200,000 signatures.

Matthew Goodwin-Freeman, a Tory London councillor, criticized the honour as a “kick in the teeth” to Londoners, pointing to the worsening crime rates, increasing taxes, and poor public services under Khan’s administration.

Khan Responds to His Critics

Despite the backlash, Sir Sadiq Khan, 54, expressed humility in receiving the knighthood, stating that it was “the honour of my life” to serve as Mayor of London.

Reflecting on his upbringing in a council estate in south London, Khan remarked that he never could have imagined one day being honoured in this way.

He promised to continue working towards a fairer, safer, greener, and more prosperous London for all its communities.

Khan made history in 2016 as the first Muslim mayor of any European capital and was re-elected in 2021.

His tenure has been marked by significant controversy, including criticism for his handling of crime in the city.

Under his leadership, London saw a 38% increase in knife crime, and the Metropolitan Police Service was put into special measures.

Additionally, his policies such as Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), and congestion charge hikes have drawn ire from residents and drivers.

Supporters Defend Khan’s Record

Khan’s supporters, however, defend his achievements.

They point to his record-breaking re-election as the first Mayor of London to secure a third term and his success in cutting toxic air pollution in central London by nearly half through the ULEZ.

Additionally, his administration invested heavily in neighbourhood policing, funding 1,300 new officers, and established England’s first violence reduction unit.

On housing, they highlight that new council homes are being built at a rate not seen since the 1970s.

While Khan’s critics focus on his failures, his supporters argue that his leadership has brought tangible improvements in certain areas, particularly regarding public health and safety.

Other Honours Spark Debate

The New Year’s Honours list has also raised questions about other recipients.

Notably, Noel Quinn, the former CEO of HSBC, was knighted for his services to finance and net zero.

However, former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith questioned the decision, recalling Quinn’s involvement in freezing the accounts of British National Overseas people from Hong Kong under Chinese government pressure.

Quinn’s knighthood, along with that of Network Rail’s chief executive Andrew Haines, who was awarded after widespread rail disruptions, has caused controversy among some MPs.

Sir Keir Starmer Celebrates Unsung Heroes

Despite the criticism, Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, praised the New Year’s Honours list for recognising the contributions of “ordinary people” who do “extraordinary things” for their communities.

He emphasized the importance of celebrating these unsung heroes, who represent the best values of the UK and the service at the heart of the government’s mission.

For Starmer, the list reflects the core of what his government stands for.

As the New Year Honours continue to stir debate, the controversy surrounding Sadiq Khan’s knighthood remains a hot topic of discussion across the UK.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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