Sadiq Khan's Victory To Become London's First Muslim Mayor Prompts A Range Of Emotion (Mostly Amazing)

The good, the bad and the ugly. But mostly good.

London has elected Sadiq Khan as its mayor after the Labour MP ran a campaign based on increasing social mobility, making housing more affordable and growing the capital's prosperity.

He said he was "deeply humbled by the hope and trust" voters placed in him, adding: "I want to thank every single Londoner for making the impossible possible."

He added: "I'm so proud that Londoners have today chosen hope over fear and unity over division."

Labour mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan arrives at City Hall in London with his wife Saadiya (right)
Labour mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan arrives at City Hall in London with his wife Saadiya (right)
Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Oh, and Sadiq Khan is also Muslim.

In recent days, the campaign of his Conservative rival Zac Goldsmith, had increasingly tried to link Khan, 45, to Islamic extremism and terrorism.

It was a tactic that would seriously backfire, not just in the results of the election but also in the reaction of fellow Conservatives...

Our appalling dog whistle campaign for #LondonMayor2016 lost us the election, our reputation & credibility on issues of race and religion.

— Sayeeda Warsi (@SayeedaWarsi) May 6, 2016

Sad that Zac's campaign did not reflect who I know him to be- an eco friendly, independent- minded politician with integrity.

— Jemima Goldsmith (@Jemima_Khan) May 6, 2016

As the polls closed on Thursday, Andrew Boff, the former leader of the London Assembly’s Conservative group, had called the smears “outrageous” and “a mistake”.

He said: “I don’t think it was dog whistle, because you can’t hear a dog whistle. Everybody could hear this.

“It was effectively saying that people of conservative religious views are not to be trusted and you shouldn’t share a platform with them and that’s outrageous.”

The repercussions of the Tory campaign may well continue long after election night, with even David Cameron's former advisor Steve Hilton claiming it brought back the 'nasty party' label.

MORE TONIGHT: Cameron fmr adviser tells #newsnight @ZacGoldsmith campaign "brought back nasty party label" to Torieshttps://t.co/6WOrV8SYOO

— BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) May 6, 2016

Reaction from the public after the expected result was announced was overwhelmingly positive but also highlighted there are still those for whom the idea of a Muslim Mayor is not a positive one.

The Good

Muslim London Mayor. Muslim Bake Off winner. Muslim Footballer of the Year. Bloody Muslims, they really hate the British way of life....

— Paul Bernal (@PaulbernalUK) May 6, 2016

The Bad

Terrorist logic: A muslim is mayor of London, we must take it over more by attacking it. How has he been allowed to be mayor...#LondonElects

— Tom (@KanelsAbel) May 6, 2016

The Ugly

The Good

Politics aside - that London's elected a Muslim Mayor, British-born Pakistani, son of an immigrant and bus driver says LOADS. #LondonElects

— Nadia Gilani (@nadiagilani) May 6, 2016

The Bad

#LondonElects a Muslim Mayor? Really London? Shame on you

— The Toy Shop Direct (@toyshopdirect) May 6, 2016

The Ugly

The Good

A muslim, son of a bus driver is the new mayor of London. People voted for hope over fear #LondonElects pic.twitter.com/tAWuxQpdIa

— Andrea Stroppa (@Andst7) May 6, 2016

The Bad

We are approaching Peak Muslim. #YesWeKhan #LondonElects pic.twitter.com/8ZzdkBbt6n

— Thorium (@HammerOfThorium) May 6, 2016

The Ugly

A sad day for London. The keys to the kingdom in the hands of a Muslim Extremist. You couldn't make it up. #LondonElects #LondonMayor2016

— Paul Denny (@Denzel1978) May 6, 2016

Thankfully, the racist and xenophobic voices were a minority, amply demonstrated by the fact anti-immigration parties Britain First and the BNP performed abysmally.

So, with that in mind, let's just concentrate on the positive, starting with this beautifully touching tweet that crossed a political divide that in recent days has been overshadowed by accusations of Islamophobia-tinged smears from the Tories against Khan.

.@SadiqKhan from one son of a Pakistani bus driver to another, congratulations

— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) May 6, 2016

@sajidjavid @SadiqKhan wonderful sentiments. Politics aside, here's to a successful, community focussed & rewarding time.

— PJW (@Westers1401) May 6, 2016

@sajidjavid @SadiqKhan Class. Good vibes Javid.

— Dontlabelme (@TauhidAli4) May 6, 2016

Lovely stuff.

And there was plenty more in that vein.

Londoners shouldn't be proud of voting for a Muslim mayor. We should be proud that none of us gave a crap what religion he is #LondonElects

— Shannon Hawthorne (@shanmia) May 6, 2016

Others even managed to turn the xenophobia on its head and turn it into a joke.

Enjoying my last view of Tower Bridge before @SadiqKhan turns it into a giant chocolate mosque pic.twitter.com/h4fFaa96MD

— Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin (@niamhsquared) May 6, 2016

Obviously a lot of people took the opportunity to highlight the nature of the campaign Goldsmith fought and the differences between the two.

Son of an immigrant, from a council estate, a Muslim - beats mega rich, privileged, old Etonian #LondonElects We have our city back!

— charliesnow (@CharlieSnow) May 6, 2016

I'm a Londoner, and his race, religion didn't & doesn't bother me; I'm just glad it isn't a Tory snob.#LondonElects

— TheAifaZi (@TheAifaZi) May 6, 2016

Tories should take note:
Politics of hope and compassion will always trump the politics of fear and hate. #LondonElects

— Amy (@thisisamy_) May 6, 2016

London just defeated Islamophobia by electing Muslim Mayor @SadiqKhan.Thts why i ❤️ LDN. #Labour #LondonElects #LondonMayor2016 #LondonVotes

— Woebegone (@FayXaan) May 6, 2016

And here's some more general loveliness.

The amazing thing bout SadiqKhan being elected isnt that he is a muslim but the fact that Londoners didnt give a f#ck bout it#LondonElects

— Mubashir Iqbal (@xmubashir) May 6, 2016

This is the first moment I've not felt completely cynical and awful since this time last year #LondonElects 🎉

— Abby Tomlinson (@twcuddleston) May 6, 2016

Lots of white man tears tonight on social media, and it's WONDERFUL. Take that, bigots! #YesWeKhan #LondonElects

— Jonathan Pizarro (@pizarrofiction) May 6, 2016

For every kid living on a council estate! Never think you are second best. #LondonElects

— charliesnow (@CharlieSnow) May 6, 2016

Londoners. We arent easily fooled. We see through the lies and prejudice. So proud of my beautiful city for electing Khan!!#LondonElects

— Suzy (@babooshkaYahYah) May 6, 2016

Largest city in Europe now has a Muslim mayor - a triumph for the diversity that most Londoners - of all races and creeds say they value

— Ben Page, Ipsos MORI (@benatipsosmori) May 6, 2016

.@SadiqKhan - who happened to be Muslim - was elected because he had a clear manifesto that was better than his opponent! #LondonElects

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) May 6, 2016

Congrats @SadiqKhan and thanks to all folks out there who elected first ever Muslim mayor of London. #LondonElects #SadiqKhan

— Ibrahim Khan (@KhanEbraheem) May 6, 2016

He's British Asian.
He's a Muslim.
He's a Londoner- and he's the new #London mayor! https://t.co/JasWqVwtcg#LondonElects

— Fozia Khanam فوز یہ (@fkhanam1) May 6, 2016

Ohh, #LondonElects a Muslim for Mayor. I'm so giddy that I can't stop giggling. This is proof that the world is not totally full of idiots.

— KT (@sloyoroll01973) May 6, 2016

#LondonElects first Muslim mayor gives me hope that this country hasn't turned into right wing loonies after the last few years.

— guns armsson (@gunsarmsson) May 6, 2016

We are proud to be Londoners this moment in history #LondonElects @UKLabour Sadiq Khan first muslim #MayorofLondon

— Maria Athini (@maria_athini) May 6, 2016

London has its first Muslim Mayor. Here's to breaking barriers and stereotyping. #SadiqKhan #LondonElects

— ..Neha.. (@MumInWimbledon) May 6, 2016

During the campaign, Khan told the HuffPost UK he felt his rival’s negative campaign was putting ethnic minorities off taking part in politics.

He said: “How do you think they feel when – and I say this without hubris or arrogance – a mainstream British Muslim, someone who has spent his life lecturing British Muslims about getting involved in mainstream society and civic society is treated this way?

“I’ve already had people approaching me saying ‘you know, do you really think I’m going to encourage my nephew and niece, son and daughter, to get involved in politics if this is the way that you’re treated?’

“That’s why I’m disappointed in Zac. Zac should know better and Zac does know better and one of the things when you’re a candidate is you receive advice all the time.”

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