In a moment that was both cheeky and politically charged, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has joked about declaring independence for the capital city amid growing dissatisfaction with Brexit. In a BBC interview, Khan quipped, “I like the sound of El Presidente Khan,” referencing the idea of London breaking away from the United Kingdom and potentially rejoining the European Union.
While intended as a humorous aside, the comment instantly caught fire across social media and news outlets. For many, it reignited simmering frustrations over the UK’s split from the EU and reminded voters of London’s distinctly pro-European stance in the 2016 referendum. As one of the country’s most vocal Brexit critics, Khan’s off-the-cuff remark may have been a joke—but it also sent a very real political message.
The Interview That Sparked a Storm
Sadiq Khan made the tongue-in-cheek comment during a BBC interview reflecting on his recent re-election to a third term as Mayor of London. When asked about the city’s overwhelming support for pro-European policies, Khan jested that perhaps London should go it alone—naming himself “El Presidente.”
However, the interview took a more serious turn when Khan criticized the impact of Brexit on London’s economy and international reputation. He reiterated his belief that the UK should eventually consider rejoining the European Union, or at the very least, restore closer ties with Brussels.
Khan stressed the “huge damage” that Brexit has done, particularly to sectors like finance, tech, and hospitality, which rely heavily on international talent and frictionless trade. He also pointed out that many young Londoners feel they’ve lost access to opportunities that once came with EU membership, including the Erasmus student exchange program and visa-free travel.
London’s Post-Brexit Identity
Since the Brexit vote in 2016, London has consistently positioned itself as an outlier. While the UK as a whole narrowly voted to leave the EU, London voted overwhelmingly to remain—by a margin of 60% to 40%. That divide has only widened over time, with the city maintaining a cosmopolitan, globalist identity in contrast to the more insular turn of national politics.
Economically, Brexit has posed unique challenges for the capital. As the UK’s financial powerhouse, London was particularly exposed to the risks of losing passporting rights that allowed banks to serve EU clients without additional regulatory hurdles. Several major firms have since relocated operations to other European capitals like Paris, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt.
Culturally, the city has felt the sting of Brexit in its internationalism. Restrictions on movement and labor have hit the hospitality industry hard, while the creative sector has struggled with new red tape around touring and collaborating across borders. Khan and many Londoners see these developments as a direct loss—and his joke, while light-hearted, carried the weight of that frustration.
Reaction from Political Circles
Unsurprisingly, Khan’s comment drew strong reactions from across the political spectrum. Conservative MPs were quick to dismiss it as “irresponsible” and “divisive.” One senior Tory accused the Mayor of “grandstanding” and “using humor to push a separatist agenda.
Labour Party officials were more measured, though some were reportedly uneasy with Khan’s increasing divergence from the party’s Brexit policy. Leader Keir Starmer has consistently ruled out any attempt to rejoin the EU or the single market in the near future, positioning Labour as a centrist alternative focused on stability and reform rather than reversal.
Political analysts say Khan’s comment may have been a clever way to test public sentiment. With polling showing growing regret over Brexit, his pro-European message could galvanize younger and more urban voters without overtly challenging his party’s official stance.
Can London Legally Go Independent?
Legally speaking, the idea of London declaring independence is far-fetched. The UK is a unitary state, meaning power ultimately resides with Parliament in Westminster. Unlike Scotland, which has a devolved government and historical claims to self-determination, London has no legal framework for unilateral secession.
Moreover, the logistical challenges would be enormous. London’s dependence on national infrastructure, defense, and taxation would make any serious independence bid nearly impossible. Still, the notion has captured the imagination of many Londoners since the 2016 referendum, sparking petitions and even grassroots movements for “Londependence.”
While most legal scholars agree it’s a constitutional dead end, they also note that the joke serves a deeper function: expressing discontent, asserting identity, and pressing for policy change. As Khan knows well, sometimes the best way to make a point is with a punchline.
A City Divided: Londoners React
The reaction among Londoners to Khan’s independence quip has been a mix of laughter, agreement, and exasperation. Social media erupted with memes and comments both defending and mocking the idea of an independent London, with hashtags like #ElPresidenteKhan and #Londependence trending on X (formerly Twitter).
Polling conducted shortly after the interview revealed a fascinating divide: while only 20–25% of respondents supported the idea of London becoming independent, more than 60% expressed agreement with Khan’s broader critique of Brexit. Among younger Londoners, support for rejoining the EU was even stronger, with over 70% backing the idea of a second referendum.
Business leaders in the city voiced more measured support for Khan’s pro-EU stance. The London Chamber of Commerce released a statement noting that “London has been disproportionately affected by Brexit-related disruption” and urging the government to consider a “constructive reset” with the EU. Meanwhile, hospitality and tech sector leaders welcomed Khan’s call for reintegration into European labor and trade networks.
Cultural figures also weighed in. Prominent author Zadie Smith described the idea of London independence as “romantic but unrealistic,” while praising Khan for speaking “truth to post-Brexit absurdity.” For many Londoners, Khan’s joke encapsulated their frustrations—and aspirations.
Khan’s Brexit Stance Through the Years
Sadiq Khan’s opposition to Brexit has been unwavering since the beginning. In 2016, he campaigned actively for Remain, warning that a Leave vote would endanger London’s economy, strain community relations, and damage Britain’s international reputation. When the vote went the other way, he became a leading advocate for a “soft Brexit,” urging close alignment with EU rules and continued access to the single market.
As the deal-making dragged on, Khan pushed for a “People’s Vote” on the final Brexit deal. While that movement ultimately failed, it cemented his reputation as a staunch Europhile. Post-Brexit, Khan has focused on mitigating the fallout for London, advocating for visa reforms, trade access, and support for businesses affected by new barriers.
In 2023 and 2024, Khan intensified his calls for strategic realignment with Europe, suggesting rejoining Erasmus and pushing for youth mobility agreements. His latest remarks, though wrapped in humor, are part of a long-term narrative: Brexit was a mistake, and it’s time to fix it—starting with London.
Labour Party’s Brexit Tightrope
Khan’s latest comments have once again put a spotlight on the growing ideological gap within the Labour Party over Brexit. While the mayor continues to advocate for re-engagement with Europe, party leader Sir Keir Starmer has drawn a clear line: there will be no rejoining the EU, the customs union, or the single market under a Labour government.
Starmer’s position is designed to appeal to “Red Wall” voters—traditional Labour supporters who backed Brexit. His strategy focuses on moving past Brexit rather than reopening old wounds, framing Labour as a party of practical governance rather than ideological division.
But this approach hasn’t satisfied everyone. Progressive Labour MPs, especially those representing urban, diverse, and younger constituencies, have echoed many of Khan’s sentiments. Some see the Mayor’s boldness as a necessary provocation to reopen a debate that many believe the public is ready to revisit.
Whether this internal tension becomes a serious rift or remains a background hum may depend on upcoming elections. Khan’s popularity in London could prove to be both an asset and a liability for Starmer as he tries to unite a broad national coalition.
Could the UK Rejoin the EU?
The question of whether the UK could—or should—rejoin the European Union is slowly re-entering mainstream discourse. While no major party currently supports a re-accession campaign, recent polling suggests that public opinion is shifting. More than half of UK adults now say Brexit was a mistake, and support for rejoining the EU has crept above 40% in some surveys.
From Brussels, the message is clear but cautious: the door remains open, but the UK would have to reapply and meet all current membership conditions, including adopting the euro in the future. That’s a political nonstarter for most British politicians, but the fact that the conversation is happening at all suggests a slow thaw in what had become a frozen issue.
Khan’s comments, while flippant on the surface, may have helped move the needle. By injecting humor into the debate, he’s normalized the idea that the UK’s relationship with the EU is not permanently severed—and that rethinking Brexit is not political suicide.
The Economic Case for Rejoining
Economically, the argument for revisiting EU membership is compelling, especially for a city like London. Since Brexit, the capital has seen reduced foreign direct investment, a decline in EU talent inflow, and significant hurdles for its dominant financial services sector.
According to a 2024 study by the London School of Economics, Brexit has cost the UK economy more than 4% of GDP, with London bearing a disproportionate share. Rejoining the EU or establishing closer trade links could alleviate some of this pain, particularly by simplifying export procedures and revitalizing cross-border business collaborations.
Supporters of rejoining also point to lost opportunities in education and research. London’s universities, once global hubs of innovation, have seen a drop in EU students and funding. Cultural institutions report difficulties in hosting European artists and curating cross-border exhibitions.
While full EU membership may remain a long shot in the short term, experts argue that even incremental steps—like rejoining Horizon Europe or reviving mutual recognition agreements—would provide substantial benefits. Khan’s remarks, intentionally or not, have put these options back on the table.
