Sadiq Khan calls for Brexit demands 'wish list' for London

Sadiq Khan wants extra powers for London in the wake of the Brexit result
PA
Pippa Crerar4 July 2016

Sadiq Khan is hosting a summit of London’s great and good this week to draw up a list of demands from the government in the wake of the Brexit vote.

The Mayor is bringing together the capital’s councils - including Tory ones - business groups and the City of London to put together a wish list.

His City Hall empire, including Transport for London and the Met Police, will be represented by his deputy mayors at the meeting of around a dozen key figures.

Mr Khan is arguing for extra powers for London, including tax-raising and control over public services, to protect its economy in the aftermath of the EU referendum.

He also wants London to have a seat at the negotiating table when the UK works out the details of its withdrawal from the EU, and has called on all Tory leadership candidates to pledge to stay in the single market.

City Hall aides are aware that his demands will be harder for the Government to refuse if they are cross-party and carry the weight of London’s businesses, as well as politicians.

In an article for the Standard, Mr Khan said: “I’ll be bringing together every level of London government, as well as representatives of businesses – both large and small - to agree exactly what additional autonomy we need. I then expect whoever ends up in Downing Street to deliver it in full”.

The Mayor also challenged Tory front runner Theresa May over her refusal to give a firm guarantee that EU citizens already living here would not be deported. Around 800,000 Europeans live and work in the capital and are considered crucial to the economy.

Mr Khan said: “Our city has a reputation as a tolerant, respectful place. We must not lose this and work to continue to be an outward-looking city, able to attract the best and the brightest.

“We are lucky that people from around the world choose to come to London - they make a huge contribution. And I urge the next Prime Minister to join me in making it absolutely clear that Londoners from the EU are – and will continue to be – very welcome here.”

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