London Jewish Forum successfully hosted a London Mayoral hustings on 12th April, featuring representatives from various political parties. The invited candidates included representatives from the Liberal Democrat and Green parties, Susan Hall from the Conservative Party, and the incumbent Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, representing the Labour Party.
The event was well-organized, with diverse curated questions presented to the candidates. However, there was an interruption from a disruptive individual during the proceedings.
During the hustings, Sadiq Khan primarily focused on attributing the capital's rising crime rates to central government policies and past decisions rather than providing concrete plans to address the issue. This approach was met with noticeable discontent from the audience. In contrast, Susan Hall offered more direct and specific solutions to tackle crime. The audience appeared to be a mix of Conservative and Labour supporters, with a few undecided attendees. Supporters from both sides expressed their sentiments through cheering and booing, depending on the speaker and their statements.
Sadiq Khan's responses often lacked clarity, with a tendency to avoid direct answers and shift blame. While he demonstrated confidence and stage presence, Susan Hall's content was deemed more substantive. However, she may benefit from enhancing her style and charisma to match Khan's stage presence.
In conclusion, the London Jewish Forum should be commended for organising an insightful and engaging hustings event. While the decision of the undecided attendees remains uncertain, there is evidently a growing sentiment for a change in leadership. For London to maintain its global standing, there appears to be a consensus that a change in mayoral leadership may be necessary.
