Sadiq Khan takes over as London mayor - as it happened

[LeftishBrit]

The Labour candidate, Sadiq Khan, has been sworn in as mayor of London at a ceremony at Southwark Cathedral. He becomes the first Muslim leader of a major Western capital.

The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, congratulated Khan on his victory on Twitter, but failed to attend the ceremony. Khan said Corbyn had been invited but could not say why he had not shown up....

Conservatives have defended Zac Goldsmith’s campaign for London mayor, which Khan described as “desperate and divisive”. The former Tory justice secretary Ken Clarke said the way the campaign had been run was a “mistake” and “probably had a counter-productive effect”.

Khan’s win will trigger a byelection for his Tooting constituency that could be held as soon as early June. Christian Wolmar, who sought the Labour mayoral nomination, has already declared his interest in standing for the party. Khan narrowly increased his majority to 5.3% over the Tories at last year’s general election, winning by almost 3,000 votes. However, it is regarded as a marginal seat.


http://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/may/07/london-mayor-sadiq-khan-hails-vote-for-hope-over-fear-politics-live

[BlueMTexpat]

1. Congratulations, Londoners,

on not falling for the hatred! I hope that we in the USA can show as much wisdom and maturity!

[Bad Dog]

2. The bigots are already starting to backtrack.

Presidential hopeful Donald Trump has said the newly elected mayor of London would be an "exception" to his proposed ban on Muslims travelling to the US.

Because of his faith, Sadiq Khan had expressed concern that he would not be able to visit the US if Mr Trump were elected.

Mr Trump proposed a ban on Muslims entering the US after attacks in Paris killed 130 people last year.

"There will always be exceptions," the Republican businessman said.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-us-2016-36253556

Wow, that's a relief.

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. Like apartheid South Africa had 'honorary whites', TrumpUSA would have

'honorary non-Muslims' - those with lots of money, or, I expect grudgingly, those in positions of power like Sadiq Khan.

[non sociopath skin]

4. ... and, of course, the Saudi royal family.

The Skin

[LeftishBrit]

5. Sadiq Khan: I don't want exemption from 'ignorant' Trump's Muslim ban

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/10/sadiq-khan-i-dont-want-ignorant-donald-trump-to-make-me-an-exception

[Bad Dog]

6. Good on him.

He's been consistently inclusive throughout.