Sadiq Khan Londoners should march for the young people who need a say in their future
a no-deal scenario, having published a draft “no deal” Bill earlier this week.
The damage and division that Brexit is causing can already be seen in London and across Britain. EU citizens —who make such a huge contribution to our city and country — are still feeling insecure about their future, and many have returned to their countries of origin, or are preparing to.
As the Evening Standard highlights today, talented people from across Europe are already deciding to take their skills and labour elsewhere, with London job registrations by EU nationals down 26 per cent in the year to July 2018 compared with the previous 12 months. We simply can’t afford to go on like this.
But there is still hope. Thousands of people will come together in London tomorrow and call for a change of direction. I’m particularly excited about marching alongside thousands of young people who weren’t able to vote in the referendum — after all, it’s their future that is on the line.
I know from my time as Mayor, and as the father of two teenagers, that London desperately needs to create more opportunities for young people — not fewer. Whether it’s youth services and sports facilities, education opportunities, training, apprenticeships or good, well-paying jobs — offering more chances to young people is crucial to everything from reducing crime and inequality to building an economy fit for the future.
So I call on Londoners to join us tomorrow on Park Lane at noon. While Londoners voted overwhelmingly to stay in the EU, it doesn’t matter whether you ticked the Leave or Remain box at the referendum — this is about the future not the past.
None of us voted for the shambles the Government has created. None of us voted to make ourselves poorer. None of us voted to make life harder for our children and grandchildren. We all deserve a say on the final terms of the deal. It’s time to take back control.