Steerpike Steerpike

Sadiq Khan fails his own transport test

As the London mayoral race heats up, Sadiq Khan has gone on the offensive when it comes to the cost of public transport under the Tories. The Labour candidate — who promises a four-year fares freeze if elected — says that when it comes to value for money, things have got so bad that a luxury transatlantic Virgin flight from London to New York now works out more cost effective than a short trip from South Kensington to Heathrow on the Piccadilly line. While the flight comes to 32p a mile, the tube journey is more, at 42p a mile.

So, with Khan focussed on making sure members of the public don’t have to pay sky-high prices for transport, Mr S thought it wise to check whether Khan practises what he preaches. How do Khan’s taxpayer-funded jaunts from his time in government fare under his new test for value for money?

Alas, it seems that he hasn’t always been so focussed on low-cost travel. Back

Get Britain's best politics newsletters

Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.

Already a subscriber? Log in

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in