- Friday, April 26, 2024
By: Eastern Eye Staff
11:00 GMT, Friday (31). It was a moment of mixed reactions—of ardour and anxiety, of glee and gloom.
The UK formally ended its 47-year-old association with the European Union after 1,317 days of uncertainty since the Brexit referendum.
Amid all the reactions, Mayor Sadiq Khan’s ‘#LondonIsOpen’ campaign—launched initially in 2016—created a buzz on Brexit Day, drawing bouquets and brickbats from twitterati.
In a tweet that was shared more than 1,000 times within hours, Khan said: “Not going to lie: I’m heartbroken. We’ve left the EU, but London remains a beacon for progressive ideas, liberal values, decency & diversity. To our EU friends & neighbours that contribute so much: you are welcome & that will never change.
“To the one million EU citizens that contribute so much to our city: you are Londoners, you are welcome here, & that will never change. #LondonIsOpen.”
Transport for London entrance boards and departure screens, meanwhile, greeted passengers at tube stations with the messages such as, “London is open and everyone’s welcome. Today, tomorrow and always.” Buses across the city plied with posters reading “We are all Londoners” in different languages.
The Royal Albert Hall, the Museum of London, cathedrals, universities, theatres, shops and activists, too, joined the #LondonIsOpen chorus.
Many people also shared a video from the mayor’s office featuring Londoners of different creeds, cultures, workplaces and landmarks with the message: “Brexit won’t change what we love about our city.”
“I’m of the generation which has seen our European neighbours as friends and allies,” Khan told The Associated Press hours before Brexit became official.
“And the key thing I’m determined to make sure happens is, going forward, we will carry on as a city being open-minded, out-looking, pluralistic and welcoming to our EU friends.”
In another interview, he quipped that no matter what Brexit’s ramifications were, “We’re still going to love croissants and cappuccinos, that’s not going to change.”
While many tweeple thanked and appreciated Khan’s gesture, there was a barrage of snarky responses, too.
“London certainly remains a beacon for gangsters, knife crime and drug dealers. Cheers Sadiq for the good work (sic),” read a tweet.
“How many kids have been stabbed in London today, Mr Mayor?” asked another.
Within hours, Khan was back with a tweet stressing on efforts to check crime: “Keeping our city safe is my number one priority.”
