From Dailymail · · 1m 40s
Sadiq Khan mocks Zack Polanski with Urdu reply
London mayor answers Green leader's Urdu campaign video in South Asian language.
In brief
London mayor answers Green leader's Urdu campaign video in South Asian language. Sadiq Khan responded to Zack Polanski's Urdu by-election campaign video by speaking Urdu himself during a London Assembly session. Originally reported by Dailymail.
Sadiq Khan mocks Zack Polanski
Sadiq Khan mocked Zack Polanski by answering his question in Urdu during London Assembly session.
“I thought as the member is so proficient in Urdu that I would speak in Urdu”
Green leader's Urdu campaign video
Zack Polanski released by-election campaign video in Urdu for Holborn and St Pancras voters.
“In his by-election video, Mr Polanski used Urdu to encourage local residents to vote for him”
Urdu language context
Urdu is national language of Pakistan and spoken across South Asia.
“Urdu is the national language of Pakistan and is spoken across South Asia”
Voter demographics
Only 156 Urdu speakers in Holborn and St Pancras versus 2,488 French speakers.
“Figures from the 2021 census show there were 2,488 with French as their main language in the constituency, compared to just 156 who spoke Urdu”
Tory response
Tory officials criticized Polanski for campaigning in foreign languages.
“Here's the leader of the Green Party, campaigning in Urdu. Attempting to appeal to group-based grievances by campaigning in foreign languages is poisonous. We must ban this practice for good.”
Green Party stance
Green Party says democracy shouldn't discriminate by language.
“The Greens believe that democracy doesn't discriminate by languages spoken. Many people are bilingual.”
Political context
Keir Starmer resigned as MP for Holborn and St Pancras.
“Sir Keir resigned as MP for Holborn and St Pancras at the beginning of this month”
By-election dynamics
Polanski is Green Party's strongest candidate in Holborn and St Pancras seat.
“He is likely to be the most serious electoral threat to Labour's dominance in the seat”
Political strategy
Polanski switched to French after Urdu video to reach more voters.
“He later released a campaign video in French in an apparent attempt to troll critics”
Tory criticism
Tory MPs say politicians should campaign in UK languages.
“Politicians should be campaigning in the languages of the United Kingdom. So for instance in London, I'd be expecting the candidates to be campaigning in English, not in other languages”
Green Party appeal
Green Party emphasizes London's diversity through multilingual campaigning.
“Holborn and St Pancras is a true reflection of the diversity of London and of our country and we choose to embrace and celebrate that”
Political stakes
By-election could shift power in London's north constituency.
“The seat has been held by Labour since it was created in 1983”
Political context
Zack Polanski is Green Party candidate for Holborn and St Pancras.
“Mr Polanski is a member of the London Assembly but is hoping to soon be elected to the House of Commons as MP for Holborn and St Pancras”
Political reaction
Tory ex-Cabinet minister James Cleverly praised Khan's Urdu response.
“Fair play. This is funny”
Political strategy
Polanski used Urdu to target South Asian voters in London.
“In his by-election video, Mr Polanski used Urdu to encourage local residents to vote for him as the Green candidate at the Westminster contest on October 8”
Political context
By-election triggered by Keir Starmer's resignation.
“He is standing in next month's by-election in the north London constituency, which was triggered by the resignation of ex-prime minister Keir Starmer as the local MP”
What to remember
Sadiq Khan responded to Zack Polanski's Urdu by-election campaign video by speaking Urdu himself during a London Assembly session.
