Sadiq Khan accused of politicising New Year’s Eve fireworks with veiled jibes at Tories

Accusations of Political Song Choices

Sadiq Khan, London’s Labour Mayor, has been accused of politicising the New Year’s Eve fireworks display by selecting songs that celebrate his party’s successes, including the 1999 hit “Why Does It Always Rain On Me” by Travis, which some interpreted as a jab at Rishi Sunak.

Backlash and Criticism

Some viewers felt that the song choices, followed by the New Labour anthem “Things Can Only Get Better,” were aimed at mocking the Tories, with one spectator accusing the Mayor of "trolling" and another labeling the event as "overtly political."

Response and Defenses

In response to the criticism, a spokesperson for Sadiq Khan highlighted the diverse range of songs in the soundtrack, which included artists like One Direction, Dame Vera Lynn, and Sir Elton John. The Mayor's office emphasized that the event aimed to spread a message of hope and love to the world.