Tories criticise Sadiq Khan for New York trip

The Conservatives have criticised London’s Labour mayor Sadiq Khan for going on a visit to New York City during the Labour party conference.

They say he should be lobbying for more investment in the capital after the prime minister told BBC London there was little money available for policing and housing.

Khan said he needed to “bang the drum globally as well” and to bring in more foreign investment to London.

Central to Khan’s bid for re-election in May was the claim that London would greatly benefit from a Labour mayor and government working together.

The Tories on the London Assembly claimed the mayor had “fled” to New York instead of making the case for the capital during a key gathering in the political calendar.

Their leader Neil Garratt said: “Sadiq Khan has spent eight years blaming every problem on the government not giving him enough money, but last week Sir Keir Starmer told him clearly that Labour will not give him any more cash.

“With nowhere to hide from his own record of failure, Mayor Khan should face the facts and get on with the job of running London. Instead, he’s fled to New York. London deserves so much better.”

During his time as mayor Khan has consistently used Labour’s conference as an opportunity to celebrate his successes in the capital, and tell activists from across the UK about his achievements.

This is the first conference in 15 years where Labour have been in government.

But, the mayor is heading to New York to talk about environmental issues and promote the capital.

Khan told BBC London: “Rather than having fun with my friends in Liverpool I’m gonna bang the drum for London in New York.”

During the four-day trip City Hall says Khan is due to give a speech or be a panellist at three separate conferences, two focused on climate change and one on business.

He is also scheduled to do a number of interviews with US press and broadcasters, where he may be asked about the upcoming presidential election.

In May 2019, former President Donald Trump criticised Khan and London’s violent crime rate.

Khan condemned Trump’s decision to tighten immigration controls on people arriving from Muslim countries.

The mayor is visiting New York during the meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, but is not thought to be attending the main event.

However aides say it is an occasion where business leaders, politicians and major organisations “converge” on New York to discuss global issues including delivering economic prosperity and tackling climate change.

Khan travelled to Liverpool for the beginning of the conference at the weekend.

He introduced Sir Keir on stage at a packed reception attended by hundreds of Labour members including local councillors, party activists and MPs.

The mayor was flying to New York on Monday evening with a small delegation from City Hall.

His early departure from the conference means he will miss the prime minister’s speech on Tuesday.

Other regional mayors including Greater Manchester’s Andy Burnham and West Yorkshire’s Tracy Brabin are expected to be in attendance for when Sir Keir gives his first conference speech as prime minister

In Liverpool the mayor told BBC London he had achieved more returns in 80 days under a Labour government than he had in eight years of Conservative government.

“Over the last 24 hours I have spent a lot of time with the prime minster, the chancellor, the deputy prime minister and members of the cabinet,” he said.

“But I also need to bang the drum globally as well. I need to bring in more foreign investment to London. We need to attract more tourists and I want to host more sporting events in London.”

Asked why he could not conduct much of the business online from London he said: “Sometimes you can do more actions, get more returns by speaking to people face to face.

“We know the difference speaking to business leaders across the globe can make.

“We have businesses thinking about going to Paris or Madrid or Barcelona or Dublin. We need to make sure they come to London.”

Khan is said to be attending events in his capacity as London mayor and as co-chair of the C40 group of global cities which pool ideas on how to tackle climate change and relate problems.

Visits have also been organised to an urban development project, which City Hall says has relevance to his announcement that he is reviving plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street.

He will also visit a project demonstrating how oyster beds have helped clean up the Hudson River, with lessons for the Thames, and he is having meetings to promote London as “an unparalleled destination” for sporting events and tourism.