In 2022, the Mayor of London took the entire machinery of London governance, including the London Assembly and the GLA, with him down to the Royal Docks, where they now reside in an angular building formerly known as The Crystal. It sits, proudly, on Kamal Chunchie Way, named after a local race relations campaigner, and is the nerve centre, the Starship Enterprise, of London politics. It is here where Khan administers his £20.4 billion budget, ostensibly to improve London's economic and social development; here where he oversees everything from transport and culture to housing and policing.
A divisive figure, Khan nevertheless won an unprecedented third term back in May (endorsed by The London Standard), trouncing the woefully unimpressive Tory candidate, Susan Hall. She campaigned largely on Khan's equally divisive Ulez scheme, but it turned out Londoners weren't as binary as she believed.
However, the Mayor is continually lambasted for being unable to significantly affect rising crime in our city, and obviously for the chaotic nature of our roads. While everyone wants a cleaner, healthier city, it's often impossible to negotiate it.
As for cycle lanes, they've started to define London in a way that often feels overwhelming.
Back in the Nineties people used to say that there was such a proliferation of Starbucks that they were starting to open Starbucks in other Starbucks. That's how many feel about a city that's quickly becoming a cyclist's nirvana.
Denne historien er fra October 10, 2024-utgaven av The London Standard.
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Denne historien er fra October 10, 2024-utgaven av The London Standard.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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I'll Always Have Northern Soul, But When I Saw London I Was Hooked - Despite my grandma's dire warnings, just had to leave Oldham behind
Despite my grandma's dire warnings, just had to leave Oldham behind
The Queen, Drink and Drugs... What Made Me and Saved Me- Artist Chris Levine on kicking bad habits and shooting our art greats
For artist Chris Levine, Andy Warhol is always watching. A genuine self-portrait by the great Pop artist gazes out from the wall of Levine's studio in Hampshire, given to him by a collector after learning that Warhol was a huge inspiration. He said I could have one if I wanted. I thought he was joking, but a few weeks later he turned up with a big roll.
Mabel 'You Can Make the Most Incredible Song and People Will Still Just be Talking About your Tits' - As a best British female Brit award winner and recent inductee into the rarified Spotify Billions Club for 2019 single Don't Call Me Up, stepping back into the limelight should have been smooth sailing for Mabel McVey.
As a best British female Brit award winner and recent inductee into the rarified Spotify Billions Club for 2019 single Don't Call Me Up, stepping back into the limelight should have been smooth sailing for Mabel McVey. But when the mononymously known pop star teased her return on Instagram in March, the message was filled with heavy allusions to the difficulties of what had come before.
How the Mossad Algorithm is Reimagining Modern War - Hi-tech, elaborate, audacious... Israel's foreign intelligence agency is leading the spying world into uncharted territory
Of all the monuments to the horrors of the October 7 massacres, the remains of the military outpost closest to the Gaza Strip and the nearby kibbutz at Nahal Oz must be the most melancholy. They received the first onslaught of the Hamas terrorists at around 4.30am.In less than an hour 66 soldiers were killed, six were captured and six are still missing while at the kibbutz nearby 15 were killed and eight taken into Gaza as hostage.
Carsley's England audition - The right man for a fresh start?
Don't be fooled by his low profile, say those who know him best- the ex-U21s boss can take the side to new heights
Conte’s rant gets to heart of problem facing Postecoglou
Tottenham boss must fix the soft centre that curses club
The man who put the fizz back into Soho House
...and his stunningly chic new 'club within a club' in Mayfair
At home with...Idris Khan and Annie Morris
Modern art mixed with cosy fabrics works a treat in the artist couple's Islington home
London's Hidden Gems
SECRET SPOTS YOU SIMPLY HAVE TO DISCOVER
Ronan shines in McQueen's journey through war-torn London
A strikingly assured debut performance from child actor Elliott Heffernan anchors Steve McQueen's film.