The Dirt on Sadiq Khan

[pErvinalia]

That makes sense.

[cronus]

That makes sense.

You are cleverer than I thought. What devilry is this?

[mistermack]

Londoners regard the post of Mayor as a joke. They don't really give a fuck who gets in. As evidenced by the small turnout.
And the election of Ken Livingstone. And Boris Johnson.
So Sadiq Khan shouldn't get too excited about his popularity.

Having said that, he did make some sensible noises the other day, about the need for Labour to reach out to the centre. That's obviously why Corbyn is keeping his distance.

[Brian Peacock]

Perhaps Corbyn just doesn't want to taint him by association in his first week on the job?

[Rum]

Londoners regard the post of Mayor as a joke. They don't really give a fuck who gets in. As evidenced by the small turnout.
And the election of Ken Livingstone. And Boris Johnson.
So Sadiq Khan shouldn't get too excited about his popularity.

Having said that, he did make some sensible noises the other day, about the need for Labour to reach out to the centre. That's obviously why Corbyn is keeping his distance.

They shouldn't. The mayor has a huge budget - 16 billion for 14/15. That can make a big difference to everyday life.

[mistermack]

Londoners regard the post of Mayor as a joke. They don't really give a fuck who gets in. As evidenced by the small turnout.
And the election of Ken Livingstone. And Boris Johnson.
So Sadiq Khan shouldn't get too excited about his popularity.

Having said that, he did make some sensible noises the other day, about the need for Labour to reach out to the centre. That's obviously why Corbyn is keeping his distance.

They shouldn't. The mayor has a huge budget - 16 billion for 14/15. That can make a big difference to everyday life.

I agree they shouldn't. But they clearly don't take it seriously.
Anyway, it is a huge budget, but I suspect that the most of it doesn't really involve any choices. It would be spent the same whoever was in power.
It will be interesting to see how Khan copes with the rail and underground unions though.

[JimC]

Londoners regard the post of Mayor as a joke. They don't really give a fuck who gets in. As evidenced by the small turnout.
And the election of Ken Livingstone. And Boris Johnson.
So Sadiq Khan shouldn't get too excited about his popularity.

Having said that, he did make some sensible noises the other day, about the need for Labour to reach out to the centre. That's obviously why Corbyn is keeping his distance.

They shouldn't. The mayor has a huge budget - 16 billion for 14/15. That can make a big difference to everyday life.

I agree they shouldn't. But they clearly don't take it seriously.
Anyway, it is a huge budget, but I suspect that the most of it doesn't really involve any choices. It would be spent the same whoever was in power.
It will be interesting to see how Khan copes with the rail and underground unions though.

Yes, when you have a large complex city or state to run, most budgetary decisions are just fiddling at the edges...

[Rum]

For the last couple of years before I retired I was responsible for a budget of about 3.5 million. You would be amazed at the power to do stuff that comes with that, even if a lot of it seems to be already allocated.

[mistermack]

For the last couple of years before I retired I was responsible for a budget of about 3.5 million. You would be amazed at the power to do stuff that comes with that, even if a lot of it seems to be already allocated.

That's how Boris could afford a new bike.

[Brian Peacock]

And the Reuben brothers were always keen to lend him a hand.

[JimC]

Most of my weekly budget is allocated to gin...

[Strontium Dog]

Khan is clearly a canny operator. His first act as mayor was to attend a Holocaust memorial event. Smart. He's the sort of guy I can imagine carries a black tie around with him in case he needs to eulogise someone on TV at short notice.

[cronus]

Consider Cliff Richard? Someone that squeaky clean can't really be that squeaky clean.

[rachelbean]

He's a secular member of the Labour party.

Corbyn avoiding him. That means he's either got something on Khan we don't know about as yet, or he doesn't like to be seen in public with Labour success stories. Which is more likely?

Except that's not actually happening. He hadn't been close with him because Khan is a centrist and has opposed some things Corbyn has been vocal about, but there is no conspiracy. Corbyn immediately posted congrats when he won, followed up again with more congrats and today posted a video of a sit down interview with him. Regardless of them being on somewhat different ends of the same party, Khan's win is good for Corbyn, he isn't going to avoid him.

[rachelbean]

Oh, also no dirt that I can see. I mean it's possible, as with any politician, but there is no reason to assume anything about him other than the normal bigoted paranoia because he is brown and Muslim. The guy was pro gay marriage and yet some genius Britain Firsters believe he wants Sharia law to come down on London. Fucks sake.