Sadiq Khan vows to make London better as he’s sworn in as mayor
Sadiq Khan sworn vowed to make London better as he was sworn in as the new mayor of London at Southwark Cathedral.
He stormed to victory yesterday with the biggest ever mandate from the electorate, ending eight years of Conservative control at City Hall.
"I'm determined to lead the most transparent, engaged and accessible administration London has ever seen. And to represent every single community, and every single part of our city as mayor for all Londoners," he said.
"I promise you that I'll always do everything in my power to make our city better. I'll be a mayor for all Londoners."
Khan also stood down from his post of MP for Tooting which he's held since 2005, a move which will trigger a by-election.
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It comes after a bitter campaign in which the Conservatives were accused of trying to smear Khan by saying he'd shared a platform with extremists.
But his 13.6 per cent margin of victory over Tory rival Zac Goldsmith was the widest in a London mayoral election in 16 years.
"This election was not without controversy and I'm so proud that London has today chosen hope over fear and unity over division," he said.
"I hope that we will never be offered such a stark choice again, fear does not make us safer it makes us weaker, and the politics of fear is simply not welcome in our city."
Khan, the son of a bus driver who grew up on a nearby council estate, went on to say that he'd never dreamt someone like him could be elected as mayor of London.
"I want to say thank you to every single Londoner for making the impossible possible today," he said.
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Khan will have to tackle what he's described as the city's worse housing crisis in a generation, alongside its bad air quality, expensive transport and soaring living costs.
He outlined a "burning ambition for London" which will guide him everyday as mayor.
"I want every single Londoner to get the opportunities that our city gave to me and my family. The opportunity not just to survive but to thrive," he said.
"The opportunity to build a better future for you and your family with a decent and affordable home and a comfortable commute."
Khan also promised to deliver "more jobs with better pay, not just being safe but feeling safe, cleaner air and a healthier city and the opportunity for all Londoners to fulfil their potential."