'These People Can't Stand What London Represents… It Makes a Mockery of their Entire Worldview'
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'Broken Britain. Lawless London'.
The way some politicians and political commentators denigrate our capital city and country makes you wonder why they choose to live here.
London, they'll tell you, is some dark, dystopian backwater. A city where, whenever you step out onto the street, you will be the victim of a violent mugging or worse.
This image - this fiction - is not the London I know and millions love. It's not the London I was born and raised in. It's not where I studied, where I met my wife, where I raised my daughters. And it's not the city I'm now proud to serve as Mayor.
London is the greatest city in the world.
It's a place that's bursting with ambition, innovation, and creativity - down every street and in every borough, you'll find some of the world's finest people, theatre, music, food, and art.
In London, you can get a world-class university education as we boast more top universities than any other city. Or you can get a job at one of the most exciting, established multinational or fast-growing companies on Earth.
The London Londoners know is a place for doers and dreamers, of every colour and creed. A city where you are free to be who you want to be, love who you want to love, and celebrate whatever culture or background you come from.
That's why people from across the UK, and around the world, come and make this city their home - including, in recent months, a record number of Americans.
And, despite what the doomsters say, things haven't been getting worse. Across many areas, they've been getting better.
If you're living in London today, the air you breathe is now dramatically cleaner than it was 10 years ago, thanks to our policies.
If you want to travel around our city, you can now use the night tube, the Elizabeth Line, and the Superloop, and a cycling network that has increased more than fivefold since 2016.
If you're a young Londoner, when you go to a state primary school, as well as a first-rate education, you can benefit from a free nutritious meal.
I am well aware that our capital city has challenges - from the cost of living to the housing crisis. As Mayor, the safety of Londoners is what keeps me up at night.
But what those who peddle the 'lawless London' line won't tell you is that despite significant central government cuts to the budget of the Metropolitan Police since 2010, fatal shootings, burglaries, and violent assaults causing injury have all decreased since I became Mayor in 2016. The number of homicides recorded last year was half that in 2003, and murder rates in our capital are significantly lower than in major US cities, including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. They are also lower than those in Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Toronto, and Berlin.
And according to official statistics, you are less likely to be a victim of violent crime with injury in London than you are elsewhere in England and Wales.
I know many Londoners are worried about phone theft, which is why we are increasing the number of police officers patrolling hotspots in the West End by 50%. This has already led to a reduction of personal robbery which I'm determined to build on.
Of course, I'm not complacent. I don't say this to sugarcoat. One future stolen, one act of violence, one home burgled, is one too many. But the facts show: we're making progress.
So, if improvements are being made, why is there such a concerted effort - often led by those who pose as patriots - to talk down our great capital city?
The fact is: these people can't stand what London represents.
They believe a city that is as diverse and progressive as ours cannot be allowed to thrive. Because if it does, it makes a mockery of their entire worldview.
We expose their politics for what it is: fearmongering nonsense.
But the fact is, whether they like it or not, London is a success story.
It ...
Packed with exclusive investigations, analysis, and features
SUBSCRIBE TODAY
'Broken Britain. Lawless London'.
The way some politicians and political commentators denigrate our capital city and country makes you wonder why they choose to live here.
London, they'll tell you, is some dark, dystopian backwater. A city where, whenever you step out onto the street, you will be the victim of a violent mugging or worse.
This image - this fiction - is not the London I know and millions love. It's not the London I was born and raised in. It's not where I studied, where I met my wife, where I raised my daughters. And it's not the city I'm now proud to serve as Mayor.
London is the greatest city in the world.
It's a place that's bursting with ambition, innovation, and creativity - down every street and in every borough, you'll find some of the world's finest people, theatre, music, food, and art.
In London, you can get a world-class university education as we boast more top universities than any other city. Or you can get a job at one of the most exciting, established multinational or fast-growing companies on Earth.
The London Londoners know is a place for doers and dreamers, of every colour and creed. A city where you are free to be who you want to be, love who you want to love, and celebrate whatever culture or background you come from.
That's why people from across the UK, and around the world, come and make this city their home - including, in recent months, a record number of Americans.
And, despite what the doomsters say, things haven't been getting worse. Across many areas, they've been getting better.
If you're living in London today, the air you breathe is now dramatically cleaner than it was 10 years ago, thanks to our policies.
If you want to travel around our city, you can now use the night tube, the Elizabeth Line, and the Superloop, and a cycling network that has increased more than fivefold since 2016.
If you're a young Londoner, when you go to a state primary school, as well as a first-rate education, you can benefit from a free nutritious meal.
I am well aware that our capital city has challenges - from the cost of living to the housing crisis. As Mayor, the safety of Londoners is what keeps me up at night.
But what those who peddle the 'lawless London' line won't tell you is that despite significant central government cuts to the budget of the Metropolitan Police since 2010, fatal shootings, burglaries, and violent assaults causing injury have all decreased since I became Mayor in 2016. The number of homicides recorded last year was half that in 2003, and murder rates in our capital are significantly lower than in major US cities, including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. They are also lower than those in Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Toronto, and Berlin.
And according to official statistics, you are less likely to be a victim of violent crime with injury in London than you are elsewhere in England and Wales.
I know many Londoners are worried about phone theft, which is why we are increasing the number of police officers patrolling hotspots in the West End by 50%. This has already led to a reduction of personal robbery which I'm determined to build on.
Of course, I'm not complacent. I don't say this to sugarcoat. One future stolen, one act of violence, one home burgled, is one too many. But the facts show: we're making progress.
So, if improvements are being made, why is there such a concerted effort - often led by those who pose as patriots - to talk down our great capital city?
The fact is: these people can't stand what London represents.
They believe a city that is as diverse and progressive as ours cannot be allowed to thrive. Because if it does, it makes a mockery of their entire worldview.
We expose their politics for what it is: fearmongering nonsense.
But the fact is, whether they like it or not, London is a success story.
It ...
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