To ask if it's a good thing that London has a Muslim mayor

[DoesFlossfloss]

Because my London based in-laws are not happy and I've not been following the campaign as I'm not in London so don't really care. However, we're seeing PILs this weekend and it will be up for discussion.

Why are they not happy? What are they worried about?

Why wouldn't it be?

Can I be the first to offer you a biscuit?

Err it's called democracy. Why pick on his religion? I believe he stood as a Labour candidate not a Muslim candidate anyway. To view him only through the lens of religion is wrong.

What difference does it make? Genuine question but if he was Catholic would his religion matter?

It's fine with me (and I'm white Christian, if that matters). Is it ok with you?

If they're Tory voters, suggest to them that nominating the immensely rich son of a crooked liar, who is himself either a racist or entirely relaxed about racism, as a candidate in one of the world's most diverse and progressive cities, is a guaranteed way to get beaten like a drum. If they want a Tory mayor, next time they might try getting an even slightly electable candidate, rather than a complete fuckwit. What on earth were the Tories thinking of? Labour had at last realised that nominating a twice-beaten old man with obvious mental health issues isn't a winning strategy, and normally they can be relied on to lose winnable elections, but the Tories were just crazy.

What are they going to call the boris bikes

Not sure about why somebody's religion has anything to do with who is the best person for the job.

The Sadiq cycles
obvious when you think about it sorry

Timelytess - don't be a twit. either discuss the matter or go and nibble your biscuit in the corner.

And I have no idea if he is the best person for the job but surely his religion is irrelevant.

Why does it make a blind bit of difference?! It's not as though he's trying to downplay the actions of jihadists. He's a British politician who so happens to be Muslim. Whoop de do.

his religion might influence some decisions?

probably those which affect women. but lets ignore that

OP, guess what? your question is goady. Eat your own biscuit, love.

He's a human rights lawyer and former chairman of Liberty (civil rights group).

His skin colour, religion and social class are meaningless compared to his experience and expertise.

his religion might influence some decisions?

Yes, like the bit where he voted for same-sex marriage and got death threats. You mean like that?

who knows?

What Ric said

Ohh God he's not even been mayor for five minutes!

You can't come over all UKIP already, give him a chance

Yes Mum. A muslim in a position of power in a country with an amount of ill feeling towards Muslims, is really going to push his own agenda...

Have some sense!

Ah, you're just being goady I see Mum.

Makes no difference that he is a Muslim. How did they feel when Nadia won the bake off?

Marmalade85

A mayor who isn't Zac Goldsmith is a good result. I heard an interview with him last week and he kept on vaguely including in his spiel "Islamic extremists" and "anti-Semites" and whenever the interviewer said "are you saying Sadiq Khan is an Islamic extremist?" or "are you saying Sadiq Khan is an anti-Semite?" Goldsmith in a dishonest and weaselly way would say "I'm not saying he's an Islamic extremist/anti-Semite but, well, ...".

Anyone who thinks Goldsmith would have been a good person to represent London as its mayor is either a fool or likes hearing coded racist smears.