London New Year Display

LinkyPinky

What a lot of unpleasantness on this thread. What’s happened to gransnet? It’s getting like Twitter.

Agreed!

I blame the Romans. They chose to build London along the River so they should be held responsible! 🧨💥

What a lot of unpleasantness on this thread. What’s happened to gransnet? It’s getting like Twitter.

Fireworks have had their day. A waste of millions. Pollution. Terrified animals. There was a time they were free for the public now just another profit making business. I love them but we must let them go.

Realky

Sadiq Khan's key achievements as Mayor of London include tackling air pollution with the ULEZ, boosting affordable housing, expanding public transport (Elizabeth Line, Night Tube, Superloop), investing in green initiatives (rewilding, green jobs), supporting businesses, and leading reforms in the Metropolitan Police, focusing on fairness, safety, and green growth. He's also championed inclusivity, providing free school meals for primary kids and creating jobs. This is from google AI.
Well done, Sadiq!

You’re very right; so many moaning minnie’s on here and I bet most don’t live in London.
There’s a hell of a lot of organisation goes into a big organised display and I, for one, find it exciting and an excellent way to celebrate.

notgoneyet

Barbadosbelle

If only there was a clapping emoji on here, I'd be clapping you.

From a disgruntled Londoner

And I'd be standing next to you also clapping.

From another disgruntled Londoner

How true, Eleothan and StoneofDestiny.

Endless US money going into attacking Khan and anybody who speaks an inclusive message. Seems Trump has an obsession with him - nice fireworks!

Barbadosbelle

If only there was a clapping emoji on here, I'd be clapping you.

From a disgruntled Londoner

I remember the shedloads of money Boris Johnson wasted on vanity projects - routemaster buses, new airport, garden bridge, water cannons (that were deemed unsuitable for London streets), etc, etc, but that all seems to have been overlooked. I can't help but think that all the criticism of Sadiq Khan has questionable origins.

The EU flag was to mark a major sporting win on that day. Everyone needs to dial down.

re Knife crime it s down 5% according to National Office of Statistics. All violent crime in London is down.
Also it was Boris who started using Mayor of London on all publicity.

ArthurAskey

Sadiq Khan publicity show.

This.

I didn’t like that the narcissist Khan had to put ‘the mayor of London’ in lights and the EU flag before our own.

Marjgran

Untrue conspiracy stuff. There was a temporary it h with some of the range of the colour blue and some flags were temporarily affected. Don’t spread these lies

I’m not interested in conspiracy theories. But since you raise it: Flags are just best avoided for displays like this, because for such an event they are bound to be scrutinised for political messaging. Featuring the EU flag ahead of the Union Jack was another part of the display that has raised questions (given that London is the capital city of the UK, and we are not even a member of the EU.) Another technical hitch?

Flags were an unoriginal idea for this display anyway. When you’ve got the whole of London’s amazing design/creatives industry to call on, what happened?

Barbadosbelle

.
Realky

Thank you Mrs Khan for taking time out of your busy day to enlighten us!

(And how very wise of you not to mention the knife crime, violent muggings, lack of housing, violence etc etc etc that he has overall responsibility over!)
.

😂

London’s firework display has a generous budget from private companies and sponsors. It does not encroach on the public purse .
The display generates income and publicity and attracts many visitors .
Yes, the money could be spent on charities, but that is unlikely to attract the same level of donations every year.

.
Realky

Thank you Mrs Khan for taking time out of your busy day to enlighten us!

(And how very wise of you not to mention the knife crime, violent muggings, lack of housing, violence etc etc etc that he has overall responsibility over!)
.

Juicywords

Whilst I thought the display was very good, I felt it wasn’t very inclusive of the other parts of the United Kingdom - particularly Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It was all very London centric.

Well, it WAS the London display, in London!

* Just remembered Paddington was last year - obviously stayed in my mind more than any old message!

I agree, the money could have been spent on something else, but as it was a paid event, a lot of the cost would have been recouped. The number of overseas tourists it attracts would also bring in revenue for hotels, restaurants and shops, taxi drivers etc. So perhaps the money was well spent!

I agree that the money could have been better spent elsewhere.

On yer bike Khan!
The bear stole the show!

Sorry to put a damper on things, yes it was a lovely display but all I could think of was the money it cost and what better things it could have been spent on

Sadiq Khan's key achievements as Mayor of London include tackling air pollution with the ULEZ, boosting affordable housing, expanding public transport (Elizabeth Line, Night Tube, Superloop), investing in green initiatives (rewilding, green jobs), supporting businesses, and leading reforms in the Metropolitan Police, focusing on fairness, safety, and green growth. He's also championed inclusivity, providing free school meals for primary kids and creating jobs. This is from google AI.
Well done, Sadiq!

Sadiq Khan publicity show.