Sadiq Khan mocked with London mayor effigy at bonfire night festival amid anger over Ulez
A Sadiq Khan effigy is to be set alight at a Kent town’s bonfire amid anger over the Ulez extension
PA
A Sadiq Khan effigy is to be set alight at a Kent town’s bonfire amid fury over the Ulez extension.
The Mayor of London has been unveiled as this year’s guy at the Edenbridge bonfire celebration in Kent following "an overwhelming vote from the public".
The public opted for Khan to be the 11-metre guy as London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone (Ulez) hits residents and businesses in the town.
The model shows the mayor holding a Ulez sign and £15 tickets for London New Year's Eve fireworks event, with other traffic signs on his clothing.
The model shows the mayor holding a Ulez sign and £15 tickets for London New Year's Eve fireworks event, with other traffic signs on his clothing
PA
The Edenbridge guy has poked fun at celebrities for a number of years with previous public figures including Liz Truss, Boris Johnson, Harvey Weinstein and Donald Trump.
Bill Cummings, Edenbridge Bonfire Society chairman, said: "This year we have chosen Sadiq Khan whose decision to extend the Ultra Low Emission Zone has affected many people living and working in our town.
"Unlike those living inside the new extended zone, there is no support for people who live outside it but whose livelihoods and commitments have been greatly affected by this decision.
Sadiq Khan may not be as well-known as other celebrity guys we have had in the past but I am sure there will be many people in towns such as ours celebrating our choice."
This weekend will see Khan’s effigy paraded through Edenbridge High Street in a torch-lit carnival procession involving 550 people.
Around 60,000 vehicles in London have been hammered by the daily £12.50 charge following the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone in August.
Khan has defended the expansion, saying the increase in the proportion of vehicles in the expanded area that comply with the emissions standards from 85 per cent in May 2022 to 95 per cent in September will “make a huge difference”.
He extended the Ulez zone from everywhere within the North and South Circular roads to cover all London boroughs.
Almost 10,000 people are expected to travel from across the region to attend the huge event in Kent on November 4.
This year's figure will be burned alongside a giant effigy of Guy Fawkes.
The annual event raises thousands of pounds for local charities.