7 January 2019 | OPINION
For many, the New Year fireworks display is a celebration of the good and the bad, but more importantly that the future holds excitement and prosperity.
The UK has never disappointed with its London Eye fireworks show. However, this year Brexiteers were disgruntled by Sadiq Khan using the display to promote a pro-EU message.
It’s crucial we don’t try to turn every TV show, exhibit and stand-up routine into an opportunity to degrade the idea of Britain withdrawing from the European Union. New Year celebrations should not be the time for political statements. It should be about celebrating the past and looking forward to the future. Many would argue it is about bringing both sides of a politically divided country together to celebrate its shared humanity.
The Mayor of London was wrong to use the New Year festivities to push a political message. There are many ways of promoting an ‘everyone is welcome’ message without passing comment on an issue like Brexit. The Guido Fawkes blog was quick to pick up the fact that Mr Khan’s #LondonisOpen message wasn’t actually that open. They reported on how Sadiq was only allowing artists from the EU to have their songs played during the event; not only does this show disregard for artists who were born outside of the EU but it seems oblivious to the fact over two-thirds of foreign born Londoners are from outside the European Union.
There are 195 countries in the world, and only 28 of them are members of the EU. There are many better ways of being pro-immigration than only acknowledging 28 countries from the same continent. The political framework of 2019 should be about the UK on a global scale, not a continental one.
The best way to argue against the political posturing of Sadiq Khan would be to hold a Brexit fireworks display either on March 29th or June 23rd. This would allow Britain to promote a message that the UK is open to the world, not just 27 member states.
So here is my petition to get our very own Brexit Fireworks Display – Will you help me out?
Click this link to sign the petition:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/236381/sponsors/new?token=IzgFxYhQ4aGhPhZ2bGy
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Ted Jeffery is a journalist and podcaster. Follow him on Twitter @TedJourno
