Particle.news

Sadiq Khan Uses Fabian Speech to Defend Immigration and Accuse Reform and Tories of Far-Right Rhetoric

He warns falling visa numbers jeopardize a £107bn growth plan for London.

Overview

  • The London mayor said Reform UK and the Conservatives are “dancing to the same tune,” alleging they vilify a diverse, progressive capital with a Muslim mayor.
  • He urged a reset of the immigration debate, calling for an end to demonising migrants and for highlighting the benefits of legal migration to the city and country.
  • Khan cited sharp 2025 declines in visa applications, including health and care worker visas down 51% to 61,000 and skilled worker visas down 36% to 85,500, following tighter migration rules.
  • He linked UK political attacks to broader far-right narratives in Europe and criticised the White House’s National Security Strategy for invoking “civilisational erasure.”
  • The intervention comes as the mayoral race heats up, with Reform UK recently unveiling Laila Cunningham as its challenger to Khan.