Khan’s fans will tell you he’s approachable and pragmatic. He introduced the Hopper fare (unlimited bus and tram rides for an hour), and he’s pushed for cleaner air with the ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone). You might hate paying the charge, but your lungs might secretly love him.
He’s also a master of optics. When the city faced terror attacks or Black Lives Matter protests, Khan was often first on the scene, speaking calmly and calling for unity. It’s like he has a superpower for crisis management. Is he perfect? No. But he’s consistent.
And why do people dislike him?
Critics say he’s too progressive or too soft on crime. They point to rising knife crime in London and grumble about traffic changes. The ULEZ expansion is a particular lightning rod—imagine paying £12.50 a day just to drive your old car. It’s like a tax on being sentimental about your 2004 Toyota.
Sir Sadiq Khan spends £20m to encourage more bus trips - BBC News
Then there’s the identity politics angle. Some people just don’t like him because of his religion or background, which is sad but real. It’s the kind of thing that makes you wonder: are they mad at his policies, or at him?
