Tory-run Facebook groups contain ‘appalling racism’ investigation finds

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https://leftfootforward.org/2024/04/tory-run-facebook-groups-contain-appalling-racism-investigation-finds/

Anti-Ulez groups managed by Conservative-linked individuals found to be ‘a cesspit of vile racism and hate speech’

Facebook groups run by Conservative Party operatives that oppose London’s ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) are ‘a cesspit of vile racism and hate speech’, an investigation by Unearthed has found. 

A network of 36 private Facebook groups set up to oppose the expansion of Ulez and almost all run by people with close professional ties to the Conservative party including councillors, campaign managers and a borough mayor, have hosted nasty and violent content, the investigation has uncovered. 

Reporters found widespread racism and Islamophobia as well as conspiracy theories and celebrations of criminal damage on the pages, including sharing the white supremacist slogan and antisemitic videos. 

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan was targeted with much of the racist content, the investigation found, including a commenter describing the capital as “Londonistan” and claiming England is “overrun and being run by a load of foreigners” and subject to “third world people”. 

Ami McCarthy, political campaigner for Greenpeace UK described the groups as “an absolute cesspit of vile racism and hate speech” and “a breeding ground for dangerous conspiracy theories”.

“That they’re being managed by Conservative operatives speaks volumes about the direction in which the party has gone, and just how toxic these anti-ULEZ campaigns have become,” said McCarthy.

https://leftfootforward.org/2024/04/tory-run-facebook-groups-contain-appalling-racism-investigation-finds/

Continue ReadingTory-run Facebook groups contain ‘appalling racism’ investigation finds

Sadiq Khan calls for immediate halt on British arms exports to Israel

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https://leftfootforward.org/2024/04/sadiq-khan-calls-for-immediate-halt-on-british-arms-exports-to-israel/

Speaking to PoliticsJOE, Khan said that we should be “holding the Israeli government to account” over its actions in Gaza.

The Mayor of London has called for an immediate halt on British arms exports to Israel.

Sadiq Khan’s intervention comes after more than three former supreme court justices, including the court’s former president Lady Hale, were among more than 600 lawyers, academics and retired senior judges who warned that the UK government is breaching international law by continuing to arm Israel.

The signatories have warned that the present situation in Gaza is “catastrophic” and that given the international court of justice (ICJ) finding that there is a plausible risk of genocide being committed, the UK is legally obliged to act to prevent it.

Speaking to PoliticsJOE, Khan said that we should be “holding the Israeli government to account” over its actions in Gaza.

His comments come after seven international aid workers, including three British citizens, were killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza on Monday. John Chapman, 57, James Henderson, 33, and James Kirby, 47, were among the seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) workers killed in Monday’s strike.

https://leftfootforward.org/2024/04/sadiq-khan-calls-for-immediate-halt-on-british-arms-exports-to-israel/

Continue ReadingSadiq Khan calls for immediate halt on British arms exports to Israel

[Morally bankrupt] UK Conservatives: Edited video attack ad on London Mayor was not misinformation

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https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-conservatives-edited-video-attack-ad-london-mayor-was-not-misinformation-2024-02-16/

London Mayor Sadiq Khan walks on the day he gives evidence at the COVID-19 Inquiry, in London, Britain, November 27, 2023. REUTERS/Belinda Jiao Purchase Licensing Rights

LONDON, Feb 16 (Reuters) – Britain’s governing Conservative Party on Friday brushed off criticism of an attack video it posted on social media that misrepresented comments by a senior opposition politician to make it look like he was proud to be antisemitic.

In a television interview on Thursday, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said Labour was “proud to be both anti-racist but also antisemitic – I beg your pardon, tackling antisemitism.”

Later, the Conservative Party posted the clip on X without including the part where he clarified the comment. The caption said “Sadiq Khan says the quiet part out loud.”

https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-conservatives-edited-video-attack-ad-london-mayor-was-not-misinformation-2024-02-16/

Continue Reading[Morally bankrupt] UK Conservatives: Edited video attack ad on London Mayor was not misinformation

London facing 45C days ‘in foreseeable future’, mayor Sadiq Khan warns

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https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/18/london-facing-45c-days-in-foreseeable-future-mayor-sadiq-khan-warns

London faces the “incredibly worrying” prospect of enduring days that hit 45C (113F) due to the worsening climate crisis, its mayor, Sadiq Khan, told the Guardian at a climate summit in New York where governments have gathered to discuss how to best cope with searing temperatures.

Khan said an interim independent climate resilience report for London had found the capital could experience multiple 45C days “in the foreseeable future”, potentially buckling various basic functions of the city. “It means the Underground is not fit for purpose, some of the homes are too hot in the daytime, care homes and schools too,” Khan said.

“It means we have to adapt for those temperatures now. It’s now time for those who are delaying action to wake up and smell the coffee because this is happening now. It’s now and it’s happening to us.”

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/18/london-facing-45c-days-in-foreseeable-future-mayor-sadiq-khan-warns

Continue ReadingLondon facing 45C days ‘in foreseeable future’, mayor Sadiq Khan warns

Sadiq Khan: The bogus war on the motorist is sign of Tory desperation

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Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. Image:  	DAVID HOLT from London, England  Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. Image: DAVID HOLT from London, England Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/03/sadiq-khan-ulez-motorists-conservative-party

The Conservatives have overseen 13 years of decline – with soaring rents and mortgages, devastated public services, sky-high bills and the highest tax burden on working people in a generation. They have nothing to offer.

That’s why they are desperate to confect a bogus war on the motorist. Division is both their strategy and overriding priority.

Regrettably, fostering this type of damaging politics is more important to Rishi Sunak right now than the harm being done to our children’s lungs by air pollution or the decline forced on our economy because of their recklessness and incompetence.

Serious, robust, reasoned discussion is essential in any democratic society, and something I have always welcomed.

My objection is not to good-faith debate, but to the Tories sowing discord and division, in a desperate attempt to distract from the mess they’ve made of our country.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/03/sadiq-khan-ulez-motorists-conservative-party

Continue ReadingSadiq Khan: The bogus war on the motorist is sign of Tory desperation