London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been the focus of both support and criticism as revealed in recent developments. A poll among London’s business leaders indicates a preference for Khan over other candidates, such as Conservative Shaun Bailey, despite concerns about crime and planning issues during his tenure. Business leaders are leaning towards Labour, favoring Khan by a 15% margin, largely due to his success in attracting investment, particularly in the tech sector. This shift in support comes despite historical business community affiliations with the Conservative Party, which some leaders feel have been strained by policies post-Brexit and remarks by figures such as Kwasi Kwarteng.

On another front, Mayor Khan faces scrutiny over his comments about the city’s knife crime issue. Following a severe incident where a 14-year-old boy was killed and four others were injured, Khan was criticized for previously making light of concerns about machete violence in London. His remarks at an LBC hustings event suggested that concerns raised by rival Susan Hall were exaggerated, likening them to American TV drama plots. This has been perceived as insensitive, particularly in light of the recent spike in knife crime in the city, with reported offenses reaching 14,577 in the past year.

These issues emerge as London approaches its mayoral elections, with Khan’s leadership and the reactions to his policies and comments likely influencing public and corporate sentiment.