Sadiq Khan’s approval ratings drop to lowest level ever amid knife crime crisis
Approval ratings for Sadiq Khan have fallen to their lowest levels in his three-year tenure as Mayor of London amid growing concern about crime rates in the capital.
Khan has an approval rating of -3, with 30 per cent of Londoners saying they are satisfied with his leadership and 33 per cent dissatisfied, according to YouGov data.
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It marks the lowest approval ratings ever recorded for Khan, who scored +31 when he came into office in 2016.
The ratings come amid criticism of Khan over his failure to tackle ballooning crime rates in the capital.
Knife crime has surged during Khan’s reign in City Hall, with knife crime up more than 50 per cent, according to figures compiled by Conservative councillors.
“Of course Khan’s popularity is plummeting,” wrote London Assembly member Susan Hall in a tweet. “Londoners are not stupid they are becoming more and more aware of his failings, on crime, transport and housing – the things for which he is responsible.”
Khan, who will next year run for re-election, has denied he should have done more to tackle the issue of knife crime, and has blamed Tory cuts to police numbers and public services for the increase in violent offences.
Earlier this month the Mayor came under fire over plans to introduce rent caps on homes in the capital.
Read more: Sadiq Khan slammed for London rental cap proposals
Free market think tank The Adam Smith Institute described Khan as an “economic illiterate”, saying rent controls would discourage developers from building new homes.
A spokesperson for Khan said: “Polls go up and polls go down. Sadiq is absolutely focused on delivering for Londoners despite massive cuts to public services by this Tory Government – he is tackling crime, making transport more affordable, cleaning up the capital’s filthy air and building a record number of council homes.”
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