Sadiq Khan accused of using London NYE fireworks to 'spew political propaganda' after 'trolling' Rishi Sunak
WATCH NOW: Chloe Dobbs says Sadiq Khan's knighthood is 'rewarding failure'
GB NEWS
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been accused of using the city's New Year's Eve fireworks to "spew political propaganda" and troll former Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak.
The newly-knighted Khan has received backlash for trolling Sunak, with the spectacle featuring the song Why Does It Always Rain On Me, followed by 1993 tune Things Can Only Get Better.
The nation's capital welcomed 2025 with a bang, with a magnificent fireworks display across the London skyline
PA
The first song choice made a sly reference to Sunak's General Election announcement outside Number 10 in May, where he got soaked in the rain.
The second song choice could be linked to the same speech when anti-Brexit protestor Steve Bray could be heard playing the hit while the PM spoke to the nation.
The same song was also reminiscent of Tony Blair's 1997 campaign that led to his landslide win.
In response to the song's inclusion, one wrote online: "Top trolling by Sadiq Khan having the London fireworks mention the wet summer weather followed by Things Can Only Get Better."
Another tweeted: "Very mature Sadiq. 'Things can only get better' for the New Year's firework display. Why do you insist on making everything so overtly political?!"
As the bells rang out, around 100,000 visitors merrily sang along to Auld Lang Syne along the Embankment
PA
One user said that seeing the British flag in the display made them feel "proud to be British"
PA
One displeased spectator hit out at Sadiq Khan on Twitter, saying: "London Fireworks were an absolute disgrace. F**k you @MayorOfLondon using Paddington Bear & NYE to spew propaganda.
"London is no longer a 'city of hope', you killed that, and it is not 'for everyone', you filthy cockroach. A total outrage."
A second critic blasted the cost of the spectacle, saying: "£22bn black hole so the elderly loose their winter fuel allowance. How much have these London fireworks cost?"
However, some Britons praised the fireworks display with one saying that seeing the British flag in the display made them feel "proud to be British", while another commented that they were "surprised by the lack of divisive woke messages during these fireworks".
One user added: "The London fireworks was brilliant this year. Nice to have that bit of patriotism as well. Credit where is due."
The nation's capital welcomed 2025 with a bang, with a magnificent fireworks display across the London skyline.
As the bells rang out, around 100,000 visitors merrily sang along to Auld Lang Syne along the Embankment - despite the severe weather conditions that left a number of displays cancelled in Edinburgh, Blackpool and Newcastle.
LATEST NEWS:
Instead of festive cheer in Edinburgh, its famous Princes Street was almost left deserted last night
PA
High winds and heavy rain across the country forced organisers to cancel events that attract visitors from across the world each year, including the much-loved Hogmanay in the Scottish capital.
Instead of festive cheer in Edinburgh, its famous Princes Street was almost left deserted last night.
Meanwhile, in London, weather guidance was watched closely as many feared that their New Year's Eve plans in the capital might be cancelled for the very same reason.
However, visitors were able to enjoy the fireworks, with a soundtrack covering Lady Gaga, Sir Elton Johnson, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and One Direction.
Visitors were able to enjoy the fireworks, with a soundtrack covering Lady Gaga, Sir Elton Johnson, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and One Direction
PA
The Mayor of London said that it was the "biggest fireworks taking place anywhere across Europe"
PA
The display, which included more than 12,000 fireworks and 420 lights, ended with a message from Paddington Bear saying that "anyone can fit in" before crowds began to sing.
The Mayor of London said that it was the "biggest fireworks taking place anywhere across Europe".
He said: “It’s fantastic to welcome 2025 with our biggest and best-ever New Year’s Eve celebrations.
"From honouring the heroes of the D-Day landings to Paddington Bear celebrating our capital’s diversity, I’m proud that we sent a message of hope and love to the world, as we build a better London for everyone."
You may like
