London Mayor Khan demands more autonomy for London after Brexit vote

The Mayor of London has called for London to be given more powers to reflect the capital’s backing of the Remain campaign in the European Union referendum.

“I believe it also sends an important message to the nearly one million Europeans living in London, who make a huge contribution to our city”.

“More autonomy in order to protect London’s economy from the uncertainty ahead”, said Khan, 45, who grew up in public housing in inner-city London.

“Britain must remain part of the European single market”, he said.

“I’m disappointed. I’m a passionate European and I think the European Union has brought huge benefits to London and our country”, he said, praising the “economic, social, cultural and security benefits” that he felt it provided. “Remainers versus leavers. North versus South”. Or is he? In a speech Tuesday he called for London’s relationship with the rest of the Britain to be radically re-evaluated, with power tilting to the city. But now is the time to bring people together and heal our divisions, rather than to divide and make them worse.

Baroness Jo Valentine, CEO of businesses lobbying group London First, has backed the Mayor’s stance, saying: “London businesses are absolutely clear this is critical to protecting jobs and prosperity, not just in the capital but across the whole of the UK. And when we fail, the entire nation fails”.

Prof Tony Travers from the London School of Economics, said: “There should be no political block to making devolution to London happen fast”.

“London needs to be able to determine its own future from now on”, Mr Khan said, calling for more powers to decide…

The Mayor of London has said Britain should not hold a second referendum and the Government should instead act quickly to provide business certainty and prevent jobs being moved overseas.

He added: “I am not planning to install border points on the M25”. And more autonomy to protect our jobs, wealth and prosperity. “And what’s more – I am confident we can achieve this”. “And yet, in the days since the result last week, it feels to many people across Scotland that the SNP [Scottish National Party] is talking about nothing but independence”.