No one else gives listeners the opportunity to see leaders in this long-form, friendly but probing format. This is what we need to really assess the character and intentions of our leaders. Fantastic work you two!!
I can’t agree with Rory here. I worked for Sadiq for 2 years. He is cautious … because he likes to have all the facts. And weigh them up. He is not indecisive. He takes the time to make informed decisions. Something we need more of in politics.
He’s a racist. He knows ulez has destroyed many lives in east London. But he thinks that’s all good as they are only lower income whites vs his pals in Kensington and Hampstead
Rory's point about nobody holding the Mayor of London accountable was disappointing - that's exactly what the London Assembly is for. None of the other Metro Mayors have that sort of institution keeping them in check.
I think you should have another look at that. Greater Manchester Council leaders don't just hold the mayor to account, they are part of the decision making.
I would like that whole heartedly thank Sadiq Khan for the wonderfully exceptional changes he has made to London. In the 90's I was brought up in Essex with a father who demanded that we'd cycle through London when we visited. It was a rather scary experience. This March as I visited the elders I made a few day trips into London. The air is so much cleaner, the streets themselves look cleaner, you hear more of the bussle of people, rather than the noise of traffic. There are so many people cycling, and running now. As an experienced cyclist I can say that the quality of the cycling infrastructure matters more than the amount and the newest paths really look well made. Really impressive work!
As you used the word 'stark' (unpleasantly sharp or clear), normally a critical word, I thought at first that your comment was critical or sarcastic. I think you meant though that it's a stark contrast (striking difference) to your earlier experience.
Your a white guy that pops in and out of central london. You have no authority to make the point you just made, your not from the bottom of london, the people that are really suffering because of sadiq khans inaction
I know this is not a traditional broadcaster, but given the context of this show trying to agree disagreeably I hope we get another episode with one of the Tory Mayors (or Mayoral candidates) before election day so they can make their case. And I say that as Labour supporter, balance is good.
Not sure Susan Hall will do it, she is turning down most opportunities to appear in front of any press where she cannot control the agenda. Plus she appears to be thick as mince...
Well there is only a choice of 2 Tory metro mayors isn't there? Although I they had Andy Street (along with Andy Burnham) in 6 or 7 months ago. The paucity of Tories winning mayoral elections may have been one of the drivers for driving the mayoral elections away from Supplemental Vote. The transfer of votes definitely got the mayor in my metro region (Cambs and Peterborough) over the line.
@@andyleighton3616 If Ben Bradley wins in the East Midlands, he'll be an interesting guest to compare his current dual role as an MP and County Council Leader to the Combined Authority Mayoralty
@@DylanSargesson East Midlands is interesting because most of them are pushing fairly similar lines (at least when it comes to soundbites) around transport. The Reform guy is a bit different because he is ranting against 15minute cities, and ULEZ and claims they are in favour of freedom of movement (well obviously not that "freedom of movement" silly). On another note I am against politicians holding positions at two different levels on principle. I know you can't be a councillor and mayor, but I think that should extend to being an MP and councillor (or mayor or MSP etc). Giving up being an MP to be a mayor (rather than trying to do both) is one of the things I respect Andy Burnham for.
@@andyleighton3616 Double Jobbing can be fine so long as the person can fully execute all the responsibilities of both jobs, and it doesn't create a conflict of interests. On double jobbing for Mayors it depends on the Mayoralty, sometimes it's a choice and sometimes its a requirement - those Mayors who have Police and Crime Commissioner functions are not legally allowed to be MPs. That is the case in Greater Manchester for Andy Burnham, but wasn't the case for Dan Jarvis MP when he was elected Mayor of the Sheffield City Region (South Yorkshire) - but he stepped down as Mayor at the last election to focus on being an MP (Jarvis' case is a little different though because when he was first elected the Mayor had literally no powers because the Government and the local councils hadn't finalised the devolution agreement yet). South Yorkshire are reelecting their Mayor this year (even though the last election was only 2 years ago) because the Mayor is gaining the PCC functions. The new East Midlands Combined Authority crosses two Police Force Areas (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire) so the Mayor isn't going to get the PCC functions. Another example of double jobbing is Ben Houchen, the Tory Mayor of the Tees Valley, who is also a member of the House of Lords (as Baron Houchen of High Leven). That one is weird for me as he claims to be unwhipped by the national party as Mayor, but then follows the Government whip in Parliament. (Which of course can pull him away from Teeside down to Westminster to come and vote).
Nah its understandable he is bitter election campaigns are exhausting and expensive and he ran without a parties support. It's hard to be a good sport. He still hasn't ruled against running again so he is understandably adversarial
Rory’s blinkers are so frustrating, for such an intelligent, rational, experienced man, he sometimes appears not hear / listen. A) Sadiq clearly laid out that the school meals money came from a specific part of his budget that was NOT to be used as part of the general budget, with a very limited kind of project that were eligible. B) as for ‘the leader’ saying, the buck stops with me, I am going to change this ; Boris and Donald were exactly these kind of political leaders. It is surely far better to have the humility, and clarity to say - my powers are limited, but this is what I can do, and this is what I will fight to change (but can’t guarantee cos I don’t have control of it). C) to ask a politician in the middle of 2 simultaneous election campaigns to lay out a black and white financial percentage seemed strange. If he answers with exact figures and percentages 1 he provides ammunition for opponents during his mayoral campaign (when this is still just a vision and not implementable without a long battle to radically change current policy). 2 He then provides the media with a double barrel of ammunition - the Labour Party said THIS amount (when it is just his personal ambition not party policy) so THIS is a Labour policy - ooh, problems between Starmer and Khan. Following the recommendations of the Brown report, more devolution of power, greater access to funding shows his desire, the vision, and the intention ; leaving him the flexibility to then do what is POSSIBLE to make those happen.
The comment on being a “politician vs a Politician” is an extremely insightful heuristic for describing politicians whose primary goals are to work for the people vs Politicians whose primary goals are to advocate for their parties.
Indeed, it’s why cluster B personality disorders are so attracted to & tend to thrive in the political arena....Highly recommend reading ‘Political Ponerology’.
Wow. Refreshing to hear a sitting UK politician (and a London Mayor in fact) commenting on blind trusts taking over London housing and pricing out locals to be able to afford homes in which they rent in. Sadiq Khan is impressing me with this interview I must say. Unafraid to speak on Putin either. Brilliant.
exactly my point, your not from london yet you would consider voting for someone who you haven't even experienced living under . If you aint from london than respectfully its best to just shut the fuck up Sadiq khan is a tyrant
If an independent candidate has, at best, a small chance, even under transferable 2nd choices - then how come Ken Livingstone absolutely thumped both Labour and Tory candidates in 2000? This minor quibble aside, The Rest Of Politics is a consistently fantastic show. Top work, Mr. Campbell and Mr. Stewart
There is always so much more to people in politics and your interviews really help me to understand another perspective. I didn't know much about Sadiq Khan other than the criticism I've heard. I found this interview interesting and really liked him. Thank you.
as an Australian listener to the show, its pronounced Wogga Wogga, and its a small country town. Vast majority of us Aussies would not mind Sadiq slagging it off haha
No surprise Sadiq’s father hated Wagga (pronounced “wogga”). Wagga in the 1950’s would have been pretty grim for anyone, especially if they were not white and not a Christian. And halal food? Decades before that would have been available.
Rory is always nice and diplomatic to interviewees faces but often reserves his hardest criticisms for after they've left the studio. Alistair's views during and after the interviews seem less conflicting but he can make Rory laugh a lot. My one criticism of Andy Burnham is that he signed off some legislation (I believe on the NHS) when he was in power as a Health Secretary, and then criticised it after he was in opposition, not seeming to realise that he was the one who had signed it off when in power. How bright or on top of things is he really?
I love this podcast, it's refreshing listening to neutral coverage and hearing the perspectives of different politicians and parties. Keep up the great work!
Neutral...wow, are we listening to the same stuff. AC is tribal personified and would struggle to be neutral. Rory on the other hand is much more analytical, nuanced and tries to create a more even-handed approach. If you pay close attention to both their styles, thus will become obvious.
Thank you for this podcast; it was helpful to understand how much power a mayor really has and generally how the role works (and much more informative than the A5 page in the London Elects booklet)!
Not sure why - but he comes across to me as one of the least authentic and most manipulative political operators in the UK. His role seems to fit with what I see as his personality traits: Not having to deliver because "I have no power" combined with constant virtue signalling. He seems to fit into a role that is all about morally charged talk that he never needs to put into action - to begin with because he wouldn't be any good at it. All fluff - no substance.
After listening to Rory's assinine comment in which he considered that Ukraine might have been responsible for the Crocus City Hall attack they certainly need to!
This beats all the other political interview formats hands down. Engaging, enquiring and much more revealing. You draw more out of the interviewees and the viewer/listener gets a better insight into the issues, past and present. Great teamwork. Keep up the excellent work.
I agree with Mr Khan on many points. I am not a Tory or any way Conservative. I consider myself left of centre. However, my concern is that this in the current Labour Party do not talk about how their behaviour and some important decisions they made or (in my opinion more importantly ) what they did not make which gave away their power this enabling the right wing take power. I was shocked by Brexit. I couldn’t believe the common man and woman chose this route. I feel there were so many people feeling that they had no one representing their interests. Why don’t you air these views and discuss
Another great interview! Sadiq Khan has been a powerful voice for London. One thing I wanted to mention re the broadcast: I put on captions as my volume can only go so high on my laptop, my hearing is a bit dodgy on certain tones, and Sadiq speaks fast and swallows words often. I am afraid they are not worth a damn! Haha! Have you read how it is reading what is said? It is nonsense. Would really help to have good CC. Thanks for TRIP, and I see that you are doing election night coverage with Emily Maitlis, which will be brilliant. I will be watching closely from the US.
I have never warmed to SK but this interview has changed my opinion. I have always had the opinion he says things to ensure he gets re-elected. calling the police officer who told a jewish man not to cross a pro-palestinian march actions deplorable is an example. stopping the Las Vegas type sphere from being built in east London to protect residents from light pollution is another. However he does come across as a true Londoner with a close family and a man of integrity and intelligence. It is hard to escape religion when you are born into it.
@@ftftyffghfvghfcht6701funny that before the video him and his team were walking up the March against the flow of people rather than across it. Very disingenuous
The fact that Cummings (just an advisor) was able to hold a press conference in the No 10 Rose Gdn shows how absurd & inept the UK govt became under Porridge Johnson. Also the fact that few press columns asked "How did this happen?" was equally striking.
@mildlydispleased3221 Their point (as far as I can infer) is that you shouldn't vote for Khan due to his beliefs (which when put into practice regarding halal meat could be considered overly cruel to animals).
@@lukeskywalker8543 I don't even eat meat so as far as I'm concerned it's all a bit cruel. I have bigger things to worry about than how someone likes their chicken. The alternative to Khan is an overtly racist, homophobic woman who is unafraid to tell blatant lies to push her dangerous agenda.
@@SBuk1I’m taking it you’re a staunch vegan, since the meat and dairy industry themselves are beyond cruel regardless of being Halal, Kosher or otherwise. So unless you don’t touch meat and dairy at all, you’ve got absolutely no leg to stand on.
Time someone else took over the poison chalice of London it’s easy too blame khan as much as I don’t like him, only London is too blame for its problems, it’s all about who takes the responsibility for this awful city
insightful comments regarding discussing mental health issues openly. well done. there are various levels of depression. In severe depression when you are contemplating suicide then you should not be working. Great way to describe the need to look after your mental health.
In the span of a week I saw kids spray a random man in the eyes with a substance (hopefully just soapy water) and a guy with a bally on grab a phone out of a guy's hand on Camden Road in broad daylight. The thief was on an e bike. I'm tired of London being like this
It isn’t just a problem in London; it’s a problem right across the country, and much of the blame lies with parenting skills. Villains tend to breed villains.
Do we notice how all the nasty comments are at the start of the comment section - like people are lining up and waiting for the next Rest is P to come online so they can throw insults? Always the same pattern. They write the comments before watching the video - if they ever actually watch the video.
"I'm very upset as a foreigner moving to this country that people are allowed to say words that I don't like. So me and my buddy in scotland are passing laws that ban the natives from speaking their own language."
Great show, I liked it. Perhaps you should invite people like John Mearsheimer or Jeffery Sachs to hear other side and their perspective on Ukraine and Gaza War and Geopolitics in general
It would have been good to ask about his real ambitions. His career seems to have a bit of a dead-end. Id think he'd prefer rk go back into government if there's a Labour win.
My leadership training suggested that most big, tough challenges are so confused and uncertain that responsibility can really only be taken (by eager and purposeful people) and not given (to reluctant and timid people). Its the same mentality as found in the notion that its better to act and beg for forgiveness, than to wait and beg for permission. I think that Rory rather exposed Sadiq on that score, leaving me with the impression of a good, well-intentioned man who is also a consummate politician but not at all a clear-minded and transformative leader.
It's hard to act on ideas without the money to do so but I think he has been proactive within budget limitations such as funding permanent free dinners for London schoolchildren and as someone in the comments section who experienced London from living in Essex as a child and and visiting and cycling across it, then visiting again more recently, from a German perspective said, that London has been transformed as more bustling with people but less traffic clogged with cleaner air and streets, much more people friendly to visit. He credited Khan with that transformation. We don't want a crazy Liz Truss type with outlandish ideas that fail badly.
Completely lost respect with Rory. Rory going to bust in like the incredible Hulk and shake things up - super CEO, and failed minister. Try fighting against an inept TORY government for 8 years Rory.
Complete political broadcast very disappointed in you Alistair. Taking advantage of your position. And will complain about the new news channels doing the same? Worried your buddy might be in the ropes? You keep forgetting the ones who make the noise don’t vote…
I haven’t heard the expression “prince across the river” yet…may I ask someone to explain it to me? 🙂 Does it have any relation to the “king across the water”, with Jacobites? And if so, how and what does it mean?
@@Narg_Smart Oh it just means that there's a political figure who's biding his time until the moment is right before running for leadership and everyone knows that they want the top job. A good example in Britain would be when Johnson resigned dramatically from May's cabinet. Another example from American politics might be when Jefferson made a similarly dramatic resignation from Washington's cabinet. Going even further back, you might say Ceasar when he was deciding what to do when returning from Gaul.
Sadiq Khan’s, to reduce pollution by expanding the ULEZ to greater London is not working. He doesn’t really care about pollution and air quality and here is why: - He has already increased pollution and made London the slowest moving city in the world, it’s far worse now since he introduced the LTN’s which have increased pollution on the main roads because we are forced to use them as there are no other alternatives, especially during rush hour. The roads are now grid locked with traffic moving at walking pace and the fumes are getting denser and not dispersing because of it. LTN’s need to be reopened as it is causing more damage than good. Among all this, the mileage in vehicles has also increased due to the fact that we are forced to go the long way round to get to the required destination - all accumulating to even more emissions being emitted! Bravo Sadiq & team. (How can this be reducing pollution?!) - Pedestrians as they walk along these main routes to get to stations, schools, shops are inhaling far more fumes than before, you can really notice this. Even drivers inhale more fumes when we are stuck in stationary traffic. This is really aggravating and makes no sense! - Cycle Lanes: Should not be taking up an extra lane of the roads, large pavements could be divided into two for cyclists. - The introductions of 20MPH roads are also a big problem because emission fumes don’t disperse quickly and the air is getting even more polluted because of the need to drive in lower gears. (higher revs = more fumes) Sadiq’s statement: “It is to reduce toxic air pollution” is clearly not accurate, he has made matters far worse. It is obvious that his policies are just to clobber the motorist and to generate funds for TFL. The situation is getting extremely out of hand and something needs to be done to stop him from ruining our climate even more. He should resign and Londoners should vote for someone who will make London a greater and more desirable place to live in. There needs to be a more logical and strategic plan that is well thought out. Vinnie Lauda
Rory has been very unclear and boring to be honest in this interview. He needs to stop trying to force himself to talk if he has nothing relevant to say.
@@mohammed5593 He basically criticized the white British public on being overall racist, discriminatory, classist, and having an overall ignorance towards Ramadan and Muslim practices which I think is wrong.
