London is a city that has become a symbol of unity for many nationalities, political change, and the pursuit of justice. A key figure in the city’s modern political landscape is Sadiq Khan—a lawyer, politician, and public servant who made history as London’s first Muslim mayor. His life story is a testament to perseverance, struggle, and a steadfast focus on social justice. In 2024, Sadiq Khan received the largest personal mandate in the history of British politics, with over a million votes. Read on to find out more on londonski.
Early Life and Education
Sadiq Aman Khan was born in London on 8 October 1970 to a British-Pakistani family. He was the fifth of eight children. His parents had arrived in Great Britain from Pakistan shortly before his birth. His father worked as a bus driver, and his mother was a seamstress. The family lived in a rented flat in Earlsfield. At primary school, Khan studied science and maths, dreaming of becoming a dentist. However, his argumentative nature led a teacher to suggest he study law instead. This inspired him to pursue a degree at London Metropolitan University. In 1994, he qualified as a solicitor, specialising in human rights.
From a young age, Sadiq Khan worked various jobs, including a paper round, helping on a construction site, and taking on Saturday jobs. While studying for his degree, he also worked at the Peter Jones department store in Sloane Square. His family often faced racism, which led him and his brothers to take up boxing at a local club. Later, his parents bought their own home and moved out of their rented accommodation. In 1994, Khan was elected to the local council for the Labour Party in the London borough of Tooting. When the local Labour MP decided to step down, Khan won the contest to replace him as the party’s candidate.
Political Beginnings
Also in 1994, Sadiq Khan became a trainee solicitor at the law firm Christian Fisher, which primarily handled legal aid cases. By 1997, Khan was a partner at the firm, specialising in human rights. This experience helped him understand the realities of the British legal system and laid the groundwork for his political career. He left the firm in 2004 when he became the prospective Labour candidate for the Tooting parliamentary constituency.
In 2005, Sadiq Khan was elected to Parliament in the general election. Even then, he stood out for his activism on issues of equality, migrant rights, and social justice. He notably called for London’s unity following the terror attacks that same year. In 2008, Prime Minister Gordon Brown appointed Khan as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, and a year later, the politician was promoted to Minister of State for Transport, becoming the first Muslim to sit in the cabinet. After the Labour Party lost the 2010 election, he successfully managed Ed Miliband’s campaign to become the party leader. His reward was an appointment as Shadow Lord Chancellor in the opposition’s “shadow cabinet.” However, the party did not thrive under Miliband’s leadership and lost the 2015 general election.
Rather than continuing in opposition, Khan sought his party’s nomination for the Mayor of London. His campaign was built on pledges to make London affordable for everyone, tackle the housing crisis, and improve public transport.
As Mayor of London
In 2016, Sadiq Khan won the London mayoral election by a record margin, securing 56.8% of the vote and becoming the first mayor of London from an ethnic minority background. He was sworn in at a multi-faith ceremony at Southwark Cathedral the following day. His first official act as mayor was to attend a ceremony commemorating the victims of the Holocaust at a London rugby stadium.
As mayor, Khan has worked on a number of social issues. He introduced universal free school meals for all primary school children, a programme worth over £1 billion. He also expanded the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) across the entire city to combat air pollution. In 2021, Khan was re-elected for a second term, defeating the Conservative candidate Shaun Bailey. After his re-election, there were rumours of his plans to run for a third term or to instead seek a seat in the House of Commons to become the leader of the Labour Party. However, the politician announced he would be running for a third term. In 2024, he was re-elected, defeating the candidate Susan Hall. He became the first person to be elected Mayor of London for a third term.
Sadiq Khan’s Achievements
- Homes for Londoners: The creation and expert leadership of this body, which directs private and public funding towards affordable housing.
- Affordable Housing Programme: Planning ensures that approximately 35% of new homes built are affordable.
- Tackling Homelessness: A task force addresses and combats the most serious cases of rough sleeping. This also involves building homes for those in need.
- Making London Transport Accessible: Measures to increase certain free trips and freeze fares.
- Doubling Spending on Combating Air Pollution.
These are just some of the key initiatives and programmes that Sadiq Khan has developed and implemented. His political work aims to create a safer and more open London for everyone.