We need to rediscover the inclusive national spirit of the 2012 London Olympics

Thinking back to London in the summer of 2012 evokes fond memories for so many. For a glorious few weeks, the whole world’s attention was on our city as we hosted a spellbinding Olympic Games. While much of the focus a decade on has rightly been on the sporting achievements – and the physical and cultural legacy of the games – the 10^th anniversary of this incredible spectacle also presents a chance to reflect on London’s relationship with the rest of the country which, during those heady few weeks, had never felt stronger.

Danny Boyle’s genius opening ceremony drew elements of our national story together to project a confident, progressive, welcoming and outward-facing country to the world. I, along with millions, had never felt so proud to be British. And the country was rightly proud of the show their capital had put on for the globe.

Yet, in the intervening years, we’ve seen a nation that appeared so at ease with itself and comfortable with modernity lose that sense of unity. Much of this can be attributed to the austerity that followed the global financial crisis, the polarising debates of Brexit and the culture-war-style tactics of the current government, which has sought to fan the flames of division for political gain at every turn.

Regrettably, one serious consequence of this has been a growing resentment towards our capital city and what it is perceived as standing for. In political circles and beyond it’s become acceptable to pit our capital against other parts of our country and scapegoat it for the lack of investment over decades in towns, cities and regions across the UK.

As mayor of London, it’s been frustrating and profoundly disappointing to witness this reactionary and populist trend of crude London-bashing. I’m a proud Londoner, but I’m also a proud Brit, and I know for a fact this is not in the national interest. We will always be stronger together.

The UK is predicted to be the only major economy bar Russia to have zero growth next year. And the simple truth is, there is no route to higher growth and national economic renewal that doesn’t run through our capital. As you’d expect, my overriding focus is on building a better London – a city that is a fairer, safer, greener and more affordable place for all Londoners.

But this isn’t only to our benefit because when our capital succeeds our whole country succeeds. London can help to power our national recovery from Covid-19 and generate prosperity for communities the length and breadth of the UK – but only if we are allowed and empowered to do so.

Unfortunately, for far too long, we’ve seen the government treat our capital’s transport system like an afterthought, rather than the urgent economic priority it is. Not only does a global city and a major hub for tourism need a first-class transport system, but investment in TfL also supports jobs, supply chains and growth across the UK.

So, I would urge the two candidates seeking to be our next prime minister to ditch the divisive approach we have seen in the recent past and instead rediscover the inclusive spirit of 2012. After all, those games were only delivered so successfully following work across party lines.

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From City Hall, I’m continuing to do everything I can to ensure the Olympic legacy delivers for our communities. This means building huge numbers of genuinely affordable homes in and around the Olympic site and supporting one of the nation’s most exciting cultural and educational regeneration schemes at East Bank.

But for our country to truly realise the benefits of the Olympic legacy we’ll need the courage to summon the spirit of 2012 once again. The closest we’ve probably come since is the Clap for Carers that brought all of us onto our doorsteps during the pandemic to applaud our brave NHS staff and key workers. The mammoth national vaccine drive that followed also showed what we can achieve, as a country, when we all pull together.

As things stand, we now need a response as urgent and far-reaching as the vaccines programme to meet the mounting challenges of the cost of living crisis and the climate emergency. And crucially, we need faith in our ability to do it. London stands ready to play its part. So, as we reflect on those Games and sense of the national pride they inspired, let’s once again harness the spirit of 2012 to provide the unity and motivation we need to move forwards together.