London Mayor Sadiq Khan Faces Calls to Step Aside After Three Terms

Londoners appear split on Mayor Sadiq Khan's three terms in office, with public transport receiving commendations but crime rates and social housing drawing sharp criticism. Despite this division, a strong sentiment suggests Khan should not seek a fourth term in the 2028 elections.

A recent YouGov poll highlights this divide, showing 47 percent of Londoners believe Khan is performing poorly, while 42 percent approve of his job. Although most respondents consider him an improvement over former Mayor Boris Johnson, a significant portion feels the capital is a less desirable place to live than it was a decade ago.

The author, who left London after Khan's first term, expresses understanding for these gripes and the sentiment of decline. "I decided I did not want to raise my youngest child in the capital," the author states, adding, "I have never regretted that decision."

This perspective argues that a global city like London thrives with fresh ideas and new leadership. The author draws a parallel with the U.S. presidential term limits, agreeing that presidents should not serve more than two terms. Overly long tenures, the author suggests, can lead to an accumulation of power and internal party strife, citing Margaret Thatcher's prolonged time in office and the subsequent poll tax riots as an example.

Khan, now Lord Khan, has reportedly amassed numerous adversaries after a decade in power. Among them is Green Party leader Zack Polanski, a member of the London Assembly, with whom Khan has had repeated clashes. The author notes Polanski's more personable approach and willingness to tackle sensitive subjects, contrasting it with Khan's perceived "sneering, patronising attitude." Khan's criticisms of Polanski's legal challenges and social media use, including an accusation of "peroration", a rhetorical skill, are highlighted as examples of this friction. Further conflict exists between Khan and local councils, particularly Newham, over the controversial £2.2 billion Silvertown Tunnel project, which critics argue will exacerbate respiratory issues in an area already burdened by high rates of vehicle-related illnesses and childhood asthma hospitalizations.

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some people challenge decisions through legal action... others do it by hypnosis