KHAN'S LOCKDOWN MYTH

Sadiq Khan has reportedly suggested that his persistent calls for a lockdown of the capital have fallen on deaf ears because of party politics.  The Huffington Post quotes Khan as saying: "What the government needs to realise is we’re all on the same side, it’s not a Tory government versus a Labour mayor.  It’s actually all of us on the same side fighting this virus and what I’m saying to the government is: ‘Let’s work together to take preemptive action to avoid the need for a national lockdown.’ I do not want that and it’s really important we do what we can to avoid it".

Khan has been begging for stricter measures throughout the pandemic and was one of the first politicians to call for compulsory face coverings in shops, something he now wants extended to all public spaces.  He also wants the entire Greater London area locked down despite the fact there are huge disparities in the infection rate between local authorities.  More importantly, even the worst infection rates in the capital are far below those in the north of England and Wales.  Why is this little man pleading for a lockdown?  Is it a cry for attention?  Is it that all these 'insignificant' Brexit-voting parts of England and Wales (that once elected a Labour government) are getting too much attention?  Is it that his Greater Manchester counterpart Andy Burnham has been getting a lot of airtime during the pandemic and has been showing him up for the amateur politician he is?

As for Khan's claim that the Tory government is refusing to lock down the capital because it's a Labour stronghold, let's look look at who runs all the local authorities currently subject to lockdown restrictions in England...

Birmingham - Labour

Blackburn with Darwen - Labour

Blackpool - Labour

Bolton - Conservative minority (NOC)

Bradford - Labour

Bury - Labour

Calderdale - Labour

County Durham - Labour

Gateshead - Labour

Halton - Labour

Hartlepool - Independent/Conservative coalition (NOC)

Kirklees - Labour

Lancashire - Conservative

Leeds - Labour

Leicester - Labour

Liverpool - Labour

Manchester - Labour

Middlesbrough - Independent

Newcastle-upon-Tyne - Labour

North Tyneside - Labour

South Tyneside - Labour

Northumberland - Conservative minority (NOC)

Oadby - Liberal Democrat

Oldham - Labour

Pendle - Labour/Liberal Democrat coalition (NOC)

Salford - Labour

Sandwell - Labour

Solihull - Conservative

Stockport - Labour minority (NOC)

Sunderland - Labour

Warrington - Labour

Wigan - Labour

Wolverhampton - Labour

Clearly, only a narcissistic moron could possibly try and claim that the government is refusing to entertain his lockdown desires on party political grounds.  All the major cities on that list are controlled by Labour.  Take a hike you clown...