Sadiq Khan says Nicola Sturgeon is ‘a role model for my daughters’ in tribute to outgoing First Minister

The Mayor of London said Ms Sturgeon was a ‘force of nature’, with whom he had worked closely on several political issues
Noah Vickers16 February 2023
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London mayor Sadiq Khan has lavished praise on Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland, calling her a “role model” for his daughters.

Ms Sturgeon, who announced her resignation on Wednesday, was said to have “had enough” of frontline politics and to have “run out of steam” after more than eight years as SNP leader.

Reacting to the news, Mr Khan said: “I want to pay tribute to Nicola. We may be political opponents, but we worked closely together on a number of issues - green issues, the campaign to remain in the European Union, getting a decent deal with the European Union.

Nicola Sturgeon
Nicola Sturgeon announced her resignation on Wednesday
PA

“She’s a role model for my daughters, a role model for women across the globe. I wish her the best of luck whatever she does next. She’s a force of nature.”

Mr Khan is seeking a third term as mayor next year. If he is re-elected, he will become the longest serving mayor since the post was created in 2000 - as Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson each served eight years in the role.

Asked whether he had the “steam” to go on for a full 12 years, Mr Khan said: “I’m quite clear - a lot done over the last seven years, a lot more to do.

Sadiq Khan said he was running for a third term as mayor, because he had “a lot more to do”
PA Wire

“That’s why I’m standing for a third term, so we can finish the job of reforming the police service, we can finish the job of cleaning the air in our city, we can finish the job of the post-pandemic recovery, we can finish the job to build far more genuinely affordable homes that Londoners desperately need - and much more.”

Only one opponent to Mr Khan in 2024 has so far been announced - Green candidate Zoë Garbett.

Neither the Conservatives or the Liberal Democrats have yet selected their candidates.

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