Twenty years on from the 7/7 bombings, London’s mayor is fighting for unity

Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, lays a wreath at the memorial to the victims of the 7 July bombings. Photograph: Getty

It was a pleasure to read the recounting of the spirit of unity shown by Ken Livingstone following the 7/7 attacks (These words of defiant unity followed the horror of the 7/7 bombings. Imagine what we would hear today instead, 7 July). That sense of acceptance and solidarity is part of what drew me to London in the first place. I understand the frustration some feel towards the so-called “London bubble” or “metropolitan elite”, but this city remains a place where people from all backgrounds can feel celebrated and connected.

While I understand the point Hugh Muir makes in his piece, Livingstone’s message still resonates today with our current mayor. Sadiq Khan continues to champion London’s diversity as a source of strength. You can’t travel a stop on the underground without seeing a poster from the mayor’s office proclaiming: “You are welcome”.