21 July 2025, 11:54

By Keith Prince AM

When Sadiq Khan launched his 2024 manifesto on 18th April last year, it contained a surprising focus on the next General Election.

In fact within the 67 pages of that manifesto there were no fewer than 29 mentions of the “Labour Government”. The subtext was clear, even if the Mayor’s ego would not permit him to make the point explicit: Londoners shouldn’t worry that the last 8 years have been disappointing, as all would be different once Keir Starmer was safely ensconced in Number 10.

Since the election Sadiq Khan has struck a more cautious tone, but there was little sign of that in his manifesto as he claimed: “With the prospect of a Labour government on the horizon, this mayoral election can also be the first step toward a decade of national renewal.”

If that line strikes you as a hostage to fortune, consider the even more bombastic: “Together, and with a Labour government, there’s no limit to what we can achieve.”

Just over a year since Sadiq Khan’s re-election and almost a year since the election of a Labour Government, it appears that there were actually quite severe........

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