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London mayoral race: Sadiq Khan sets out his pro-trade, pro-business stall London mayoral race: Sadiq Khan sets out pro-trade, pro-business stall
(35 minutes later)
Sadiq Khan has made a speech at the Indian Institute of Directors 15th London Global Convention. It began like this:Sadiq Khan has made a speech at the Indian Institute of Directors 15th London Global Convention. It began like this:
It’s only a matter of weeks since I was selected as Labour’s candidate for next year’s Mayor of London election. And it’s fitting that it’s here at the Institute of Directors conference that I’m speaking. Because I’m unashamedly determined to be the most pro-business Mayor London has ever had.It’s only a matter of weeks since I was selected as Labour’s candidate for next year’s Mayor of London election. And it’s fitting that it’s here at the Institute of Directors conference that I’m speaking. Because I’m unashamedly determined to be the most pro-business Mayor London has ever had.
It’s a pledge the Labour man has made before. He went on:It’s a pledge the Labour man has made before. He went on:
This great city is built on trade. It’s openness to people, ideas and commerce has for centuries been the engine of growth that propelled London - and the U.K. - to its position as one of the world’s most important markets. Indeed, in a world that’s increasingly globalised and interconnected, London has cemented its position as the pre-eminent, most international city on the planet.This great city is built on trade. It’s openness to people, ideas and commerce has for centuries been the engine of growth that propelled London - and the U.K. - to its position as one of the world’s most important markets. Indeed, in a world that’s increasingly globalised and interconnected, London has cemented its position as the pre-eminent, most international city on the planet.
But it’s absolutely crucial we don’t rest on our laurels. Time stands still for no one. Plenty of other cities would love to knock London off its perch. Others are enviously eyeing the global companies headquartered in London and the strength of our financial markets.But it’s absolutely crucial we don’t rest on our laurels. Time stands still for no one. Plenty of other cities would love to knock London off its perch. Others are enviously eyeing the global companies headquartered in London and the strength of our financial markets.
Goodness me, how very “Boris”. But after that, Khan’s speech took a course that’s not available to the current mayor.Goodness me, how very “Boris”. But after that, Khan’s speech took a course that’s not available to the current mayor.
Britain and India share a long history. Economic, political and cultural links are strong. But a past together doesn’t automatically mean a future together. I’m also acutely aware that our shared history has not always been harmonious. My own family’s history mirrors some of these times.Britain and India share a long history. Economic, political and cultural links are strong. But a past together doesn’t automatically mean a future together. I’m also acutely aware that our shared history has not always been harmonious. My own family’s history mirrors some of these times.
My grandparents emigrated from India to Pakistan at the difficult time of Partition. And my parents emigrated from Pakistan to London in the 1960s, just as many Indian families did. Interestingly I’m the first Khan in three generations who has no intention of going anywhere. Other than to City Hall next May.My grandparents emigrated from India to Pakistan at the difficult time of Partition. And my parents emigrated from Pakistan to London in the 1960s, just as many Indian families did. Interestingly I’m the first Khan in three generations who has no intention of going anywhere. Other than to City Hall next May.
Khan went on to describe a maturing relationship in which India is a major investor in the UK and vice versa, and the UK, especially London, is a favoured destination for Indian students. Not for the first time (or the last) he expressed gratitude to the capital for giving him and his parents the opportunities they needed to be housed affordably, to find steady work, and, in Khan’s own case, to receive an education based on “my academic ability, not my ability to pay.” His mission as mayor, he said, would be to “restore those same opportunities to all Londoners” and to reduce transport costs and air pollution. “This matters to business,” he declared and went on: Khan described a maturing relationship in which India is a major investor in the UK and vice versa, and the UK, especially London, is a favoured destination for Indian students. Not for the first time (or the last) he expressed gratitude to the capital for giving him and his parents the opportunities they needed to be housed affordably, to find steady work, and, in Khan’s own case, to receive an education based on “my academic ability, not my ability to pay.” His mission as mayor, he said, would be to “restore those same opportunities to all Londoners” and to reduce transport costs and air pollution. “This matters to business,” he declared and added:
If we’re to make sure London continues to be an engine of growth then we need the affordable homes for your workers to live in. We want a city with a first class but affordable transport system. Business wants to be in a city that’s green and pleasant. And I know that tackling inequality and restoring opportunity can only be achieved through business creating the jobs and wealth in London. That’s why, as Mayor, I’ll bang the drum for London across the globe.If we’re to make sure London continues to be an engine of growth then we need the affordable homes for your workers to live in. We want a city with a first class but affordable transport system. Business wants to be in a city that’s green and pleasant. And I know that tackling inequality and restoring opportunity can only be achieved through business creating the jobs and wealth in London. That’s why, as Mayor, I’ll bang the drum for London across the globe.
He underlined his support for increasing air transport capacity by way of a new runway at Gatwick. “I hope Air India will bring back the London-Ahmedabad route, which will be good for trade,” he said. Khan added that as mayor he’d oppose government visa restrictions on Indian students and hoped, “selfishly”, that Indian graduates would want to stay and work in London and, “set up companies and contribute to the life of this great city.”He underlined his support for increasing air transport capacity by way of a new runway at Gatwick. “I hope Air India will bring back the London-Ahmedabad route, which will be good for trade,” he said. Khan added that as mayor he’d oppose government visa restrictions on Indian students and hoped, “selfishly”, that Indian graduates would want to stay and work in London and, “set up companies and contribute to the life of this great city.”
How very Boris again, though the comparison as a whole only holds up to a point. The Khan approach to fostering business success places greater emphasis on public investment, and on harvesting the proceeds of growth to that end. But the contrast Khan is more interested in defining is with Zac Goldsmith, the mayoral candidate seeking to keep City Hall in Tory hands.How very Boris again, though the comparison as a whole only holds up to a point. The Khan approach to fostering business success places greater emphasis on public investment, and on harvesting the proceeds of growth to that end. But the contrast Khan is more interested in defining is with Zac Goldsmith, the mayoral candidate seeking to keep City Hall in Tory hands.
Goldsmith is a default market forces man, an advocate of competition, but also a long-standing Eurosceptic who’s expressed concerns about the influence of big business on government policy. London big business tends to favour the EU. Khan is setting out a pro-trade, pro-EU stall and enjoying the support of Streatham MP and former shadow business secretary Chuka Umanna, who has described Goldsmith as “a threat to London jobs and businesses.”Goldsmith is a default market forces man, an advocate of competition, but also a long-standing Eurosceptic who’s expressed concerns about the influence of big business on government policy. London big business tends to favour the EU. Khan is setting out a pro-trade, pro-EU stall and enjoying the support of Streatham MP and former shadow business secretary Chuka Umanna, who has described Goldsmith as “a threat to London jobs and businesses.”
Expect plenty more of this: Khan presenting himself as the personification of open, international London, home of opportunity and enterprise, and Goldsmith, if only by implication, as the privileged dilettante who “doesn’t get it.”Expect plenty more of this: Khan presenting himself as the personification of open, international London, home of opportunity and enterprise, and Goldsmith, if only by implication, as the privileged dilettante who “doesn’t get it.”