Labour Politician – Sadiq Khan – becomes Mayor of London, which is GOOD NEWS as far as this Liberal Democrat politician is concerned. —Stephen Lloyd, 7 May 2016
Why? Because I think the Tories ran an absolutely disgusting campaign against him, trying to smear the guy as some dangerous Muslim radical. This was not only a vile campaign-approach on their part, it was bollocks!!
I knew Khan when I was the MP and whilst I may have disagreed with him across a whole range of areas – we are different political party’s after all – it was crystal clear to me that he was a moderate, democratic, highly intelligent small l liberal Muslim. So if the disgraceful, scare-mongering flat-out racist campaign the Tories ran on Zac Goldsmiths behalf had succeeded and smeared them over the finishing line. It would have sent out one very clear and devastatingly short-sighted message across the UK and the world: That there is absolutely no point whatsoever of a moderate British Muslim getting involved in mainstream democratic politics in this country, because the Conservatives will do their utmost to brand you as a dangerous, radicalised maniac unfit to hold office on our behalf.
Are they really saying to British Muslims “don’t bother, we want to leave the floor to the cretinous, murdering, Muslim fundamentalist nutters instead?” because that’s what they’re election campaign looked like.
Damn the Tories for being so stupid, so venal, so incredibly short-sighted – that they will do absolutely anything to win elections – even using the poxy islamaphobe card when it’s so blooming obvious that our nation crucially ‘needs’ sensible, moderate British Muslims at the minute; probably more than we’ve ever done.
Zac Goldsmith should hang his head for allowing Cameron to foist such a disgusting mayoral campaign on him. Shame on you Zac. I used to think you had some integrity.
And Sadiq. Good luck. You’re now the Mayor of one of the finest, biggest and most exciting cities in the world.
Treat it with care my friend – and go do a great job for all of us….
Stephen Lloyd was the Liberal Democrat MP for Eastbourne from 2010 to 2015. Following his defeat on 7 May 2015 by Conservative candidate Caroline Ansell, he announced he would retire from politics. He said he “never had as much fun as being MP for Eastbourne and Willingdon”. During his campaign in the 2015 Election. a theme emerged on posters, “Everyone knows someone who has been helped by Stephen”. He lost his seat by 733 votes.
IMAGE CREDIT: Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London
