Sadiq Khan ‘goes missing’ as strike action brings London to a standstill
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has been accused to 'going missing' as strike action brings the London Underground to a grinding halt.
London was plunged into chaos today as crippling strikes on the Underground brought the capital to a halt. Critics slammed the Mayor, Sadiq Khan, saying he is “missing in action” as the crisis bites.
Millions of commuters faced packed buses, gridlocked roads, or were left unable to get into work as militant members of the RMT walked out for five days, shutting down the underground. But while Londoners endured transport chaos, Mayor Khan was accused of maintaining a “deafening silence”. Critics compared his apparent refusal to comment at length on the chaos with his willingness to speak up in international rows, such as his vocal opposition to the DSEI arms fair, which he said “offended asylum seekers”.
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City Hall Tories blasted what they called the 149th strike to rock the capital since Mr Khan first pledged “zero strikes” in 2016.
They say his leadership has emboldened militant left-wing Unions by ‘showering them’ with taxpayers’ cash in last-ditch attempts to prevent action.
In 2024, Mr Khan’s administration handed £30 million to the unions in a bid to stave off a strike, just months before voters headed to the ballot box.
Labour then provided another £30 million later in the year.
Both staggering interventions failed, with strikes carrying on just months later.
Keith Prince, the Tories Transport Spokesman, said: “Where is Sadiq Khan? While millions of Londoners suffer through transport chaos, our Mayor has gone missing in action. He can find time to comment on arms fairs and international issues, but when it comes to the transport strikes bringing misery to his own city, Khan is nowhere to be seen.
“This is a complete abdication of duty. The Mayor’s deafening silence while London grinds to a halt shows he has completely lost control of the situation. If Khan can’t even be bothered to speak up during the worst transport crisis in years, what exactly is he doing as Mayor? Londoners deserve leadership, not empty silence from City Hall.
“Khan’s refusal to engage publicly with this crisis, despite his willingness to grandstand on other issues, shows his priorities are completely wrong. He should be leading from the front, not hiding away while the city he’s supposed to serve grinds to a halt.”
The Tories say the strikes are hitting London’s economy at the worst possible time, arguing that the disruption is undermining confidence in the city’s ability to function.
The Liberal Democrats also piled on pressure.
Hina Bokari AM said: “A week long tube strike is deeply disappointing. Londoners are paying a high price for this complete breakdown in industrial relations and both TfL and the unions must get back around the table and find a way forward to keep the city moving.”
The RMT strike is due to continue until September 11, paralysing the Tube through much of next week.
The Express contacted Mr Khan for comment. So far, the mayor has commented on X, saying: “Nobody wants to see strike action, it causes serious disruption for Londoners, businesses and visitors alike. I continue to urge the RMT and TfL to get around the table and resolve their dispute.”