Sadiq Khan 'neglects campaigning for deaf and disabled people'

Khan has faced harsh criticism from campaign groups. Photo: PA

Sadiq Khan has been accused of not listening to disabled voters after he avoided campaigning for deaf and disabled London.

Khan's main opponents in the 2024 mayoral election are also not were able to join Tuesday's meeting, which was attended by about 150 voters hoping to meet with the mayor and other candidates.

The mayor of London has come under fire from campaign groups who fear London's so-called floating bus stops, where pedestrians cross a cycle lane to get to a «floating» bus stop, pose a particular danger to the blind. pedestrians.

In January, The Telegraph reported on leaked documents which showed that Transport for London's (TfL) own research found that 60 per cent of cyclists flout traffic rules by giving way to pedestrians at crossings.

Special arrangements were made to make the Westminster election accessible, with charities including Real, Wheels For Wellbeing and the British Deaf Association in attendance.

Hyacinth Malcolm, campaigner for the National Federation of the Deaf Blind UK (NFBUK) said The Telegraph: “Our current mayor just doesn't listen.

“Should a blind or disabled person be killed before he does anything? He just doesn’t understand or doesn’t want to understand.”

She added: “Buses are the most accessible way of transportation for us. We can't do this anymore.»

Susan Hall (pictured) — Conservative candidate for London Mayor — also failed to display Tuesday's event

NFBUK campaigners said they had been raising concerns since at least 2019 and had been to Downing Street twice to reinforce their concerns, claiming they had been ignored by the mayor and Will Norman, his cycling czar.

Rachel Blake, who is standing as a Labor MP at the next general election, has been sent in to replace Mr Khan. She told the audience: «We have a clear choice: Sadiq's positive vision of building a fairer, greener and safer London, or a far-right Tory candidate who does not share London's values.»

Susan Hall and Rob Blackie, the Conservative and Lib Dem candidates in the London mayoral election respectively, also failed to attend Tuesday's event. The Green Party's Zoe Garbett was the only mayoral candidate to attend the event.

Conservative Andrew Boff, the London Assembly leader sent in Ms Hall's place, said she was «listening and she will listen carefully» even though she was not there.

p>Tracey Lazard CEO of Inclusion London, the charity organizing the campaign, said: “We are deeply disappointed that the Lib Dem, Labor and Conservative candidates did not turn out today. We lobbied until the last moment.”

She added that election campaigns are “a vital part of this democratic process.” This is a way for politicians who need our voices to come and listen to us, meet us and talk to us.»

Lazard said Inclusion London is launching the No More No Shows campaign, which is why the charity is so concerned about democratic exclusion this year when the general election takes place.

Last month, Garbett was the only candidate to take part in the Age campaign UK in London, which was attended by 150 elderly Londoners.

A spokeswoman for Ms Hall said: “Susan will always champion disabled Londoners. As Mayor, Susan will improve accessibility and ease of access to public transport, make pavements safer by removing floating bus stops and lime-ridden bikes, and end anti-driving schemes such as the ULEZ extension that disadvantage people with disabilities who rely on their cars.

“Susan listens to the voices of Londoners and, although she was unfortunately unable to attend this particular event, she regularly meets with disability groups and will continue to advocate for disabled Londoners.”

London Representative Labor Party said: «Sadiq is committed to making our city as fair and accessible as possible so that every Londoner, including disabled Londoners, can make the most of everything it has to offer.

» He was unable to attend the election campaign due to a scheduling conflict, and sent a representative to take his place, as did the Tory and Lib Dem candidates.

“TfL recently published an ambitious plan – Equity in Motion – to improve the accessibility of the transport network with more than 80 actions. Since Sadiq became mayor, the proportion of Tube stations with step-free access has increased from a quarter to a third, and the new plan will double this.

“Equity in Motion was developed in conjunction with TfL Independent Disability. Advisory Group and supported by Transport for All.

Rob Blackie has been contacted for comment.