Khan says Tories are unpatriotic for 'always trying to do London down'

Sadiq Khan says the Conservatives’ treatment of London is “unpatriotic” and accuses the government of putting obstacles in his way every day of his eight years running the capital.

- Pippa Crerar

The London mayor accused the Tories of “trying to do us down” at every opportunity for political reasons in long-running battles over police funding and cuts to London’s transport budget, and in planning decisions.

In an interview with the Guardian, Khan said he hoped for a better working relationship with a Labour government despite differences of opinion on key issues including Brexit and rent controls. “On most issues I agree with the Labour party, but on some issues I disagree,” the mayor said. “I’m not looking for Keir [Starmer] or Rachel [Reeves] to write me a blank cheque but the possibility of them not putting obstacles in my way every day, as the current lot have done, is in itself just refreshing.”

He added: “The amount of energy we spend dealing with Tory attacks which are unnecessary is ridiculous. We’re the capital city. I think it’s unpatriotic. I’ve been desperate to have those conversations over the past eight years.