Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, has been awarded a knighthood in the New Year Honours list, sparking widespread criticism and accusations of political favouritism.
The decision has been described by some as a “reward for failure,” with leading Conservative figures highlighting Khan’s controversial track record as mayor and questioning the merit of the honour.
The knighthood comes in the first batch of appointments since Labour leader Keir Starmer became Prime Minister, further fueling speculation that the award is politically motivated.
Khan, a former Labour MP who has been mayor since 2016, has faced mounting criticism over his handling of key issues in the capital, including crime, transport, and infrastructure.
A Troubling Record on Crime
As Mayor of London, Khan also serves as the city’s Police and Crime Commissioner, a role that makes him directly accountable for addressing crime. Critics point out that under his leadership, violent crime has worsened.
Conservative Councillor Matthew Goodwin-Freeman, speaking to GB News, stated: “You run through his track record as mayor, you realise why he doesn’t deserve this.
“Violent crime with injury has gone up 5 percent, gun crime has gone up 30 percent, knife crime has gone up 13 percent, and robbery has gone up 10 percent.”
The statistics paint a bleak picture. Knife crime in London reached approximately 15,016 recorded offences in 2023/24, up from 12,786 the previous year. This marks the highest number of knife-related offences since 2019/20, when 15,928 incidents were reported.
These figures, Goodwin-Freeman argued, are indicative of Khan’s failure to tackle one of London’s most pressing issues. “So on crime, Sadiq Khan has failed,” Freeman declared.
Transport Woes and Public Frustration
Khan’s stewardship of Transport for London (TfL) has also come under fire. As Chair of TfL, he is responsible for overseeing the capital’s transport network, including buses, trains, and roads. Critics argue that his policies have worsened congestion and alienated residents.
Goodwin-Freeman highlighted several contentious initiatives, such as the expansion of cycle lanes, the implementation of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), and the introduction of 20-mile-per-hour zones, which he claimed have slowed down the city and disrupted daily life. “Cycle lanes, low traffic neighbourhoods, 20-mile an hour zones—those brilliant things that slow down our city and bring us to a halt,” Goodwin-Freeman said sarcastically.
Khan’s promise of “zero days of strikes” in the public transport sector has also failed to materialise, with 140 strike days recorded during his tenure—more than the combined total under his predecessors, Boris Johnson and Ken Livingstone.
Public frustration over strike disruptions and perceived mismanagement of TfL has added to the chorus of criticism.
Tax Increases and Cost of Living Concerns
Another area of contention is Khan’s fiscal policy. During his time as mayor, council tax rates have risen significantly, with residents paying more to cover the costs of his initiatives.
The expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has also been a divisive issue, with opponents arguing that it disproportionately affects working-class families who rely on older vehicles.
Combined with rising congestion charges, these measures have led to accusations that Khan’s policies are out of touch with ordinary Londoners’ struggles during a cost-of-living crisis.
The 2024 Ramadan Celebrations Controversy
The charity that funded London’s Ramadan lights in 2024, the Aziz Foundation, has reportedly been “bankrolling”a media watchdog, the Centre for Media Monitoring, run by the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), which has itself been boycotted by successive British governments fover claims that the group is not sufficiently representative and that some of its former officials have made favourable remarks about extremists in the past.
Michael Gove MP told Parliament in March 2024: “Organisations such as the Muslim Association of Britain, which is the British affiliate of the Muslim Brotherhood… give rise to concern for their Islamist orientation and beliefs. We will be holding these and other organisations to account to assess if they meet our definition of extremism, and will take action as appropriate.
The lights at the centre of controversy, in Oxford Street and between Piccadilly and Leicester Square, were switched on by London mayor Sadiq Khan.
A Polarizing Figure
Supporters of Khan argue that his policies, particularly on environmental issues and transport, aim to create a greener, more sustainable London. They point to successes such as the launch of the Elizabeth Line, although this system was approved in 2007, and construction in fact began in 2009 whilst Boris Johnson was Mayor of London.
However, detractors believe these achievements are overshadowed by Khan’s perceived failures in other areas. Goodwin-Freeman summarised the criticism, saying: “He’s failed on crime. He’s failed on transport. And yet, he’s been handed a knighthood.”
The knighthood has reignited debates about the purpose and impartiality of the honours system. While Khan’s supporters view it as recognition of his contributions to public service, opponents argue that it sets a troubling precedent of rewarding mediocrity or failure.
As Londoners continue to grapple with rising crime, transport disruptions, and increasing financial burdens, the decision to knight Khan raises critical questions about accountability and leadership. Whether his knighthood will bolster his legacy or further divide public opinion remains to be seen.
