London mayor mocks Green leader over by-election campaign video
London mayor Sadiq Khan has mocked Green leader Zack Polanski by speaking to him in Urdu, referencing Polanski’s recent by-election campaign video, which has drawn considerable attention, reports BritPanorama.
Polanski is contesting the seat for Holborn and St Pancras in a by-election on October 8, aiming to replace Sir Keir Starmer. In an effort to drum up support, he introduced himself in Urdu, encouraging constituents to back him. However, this move attracted criticism, as many noted the limited number of Urdu speakers in the north London constituency.
The video drew backlash, prompting Polanski to respond after critics highlighted that French is the most widely spoken foreign language in the area. His follow-up video was soon met with accusations of errors in the French subtitles.
During Mayor’s Question Time at City Hall, Khan’s comments were met with laughter from fellow politicians. He remarked on Polanski’s use of Urdu, saying, “Peace be upon you. I was worried that you would ask the question in Urdu, but you asked your question in English. I’ll be spending time in Holborn and St Pancras this week and I’m going to be there. Maybe, maybe we will meet there.” He added, “I thought as the member is so proficient in Urdu that I would speak in Urdu.”
Urdu is the national language of Pakistan, reflecting Khan’s background, as his family emigrated from there in the 1960s. The mayor has frequently expressed pride in his heritage.
Labour MP Naz Shah later commended Khan’s comments, calling it “pure class.” In contrast, Tory local government spokesperson Katie Lam criticized Polanski for “attempting to appeal to group-based grievances by campaigning in foreign languages.” She labeled this approach as “poisonous” and called for a ban.
The Greens countered, asserting that democracy should not discriminate based on the languages people speak, stating, “if we want to speak to people who speak Urdu, it makes sense to speak to them in Urdu. We’re proud to reach voters in as many languages as possible.”
Earlier this month, Sir Keir Starmer resigned as MP, a decision that had been unexpected given his prior commitment to remain until the next general election, scheduled for 2029. Labour is currently the frontrunner for the seat, with the Greens positioned as the main challenger.
The juxtaposition of different political strategies reflects ongoing debates about inclusivity and representation in politics, particularly in diverse urban areas.
