Petition organiser could stage 'Londependence' rally after Brexit vote
London independence petition organiser could stage 'Londependence' rally after 40,000 back campaign
JAMIE MICKLETHWAITE 2 hours ago
The founder of a petition calling for London to gain independence from the UK is considering organising a rally after tens of thousands backed the campaign.
The petition has already attracted nearly 40,000 backers after being set up this morning by freelance writer James O’Malley, in response to the rest of the country voting to leave the EU.
It calls on London mayor Sadiq Khan to declare London an independent city state so the capital can remain in the European Union.
Mr O’Malley, who has not been to sleep since yesterday morning, said he was distraught after staying up all night to watch the referendum.
He created the petition to vent his frustration after Britain voted for Brexit.
The 29-year-old told the Standard: “I stayed up all night watching the referendum so at 6am I was a bit miserable so I did this in protest.
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The campaign calls for Sadiq Khan to lead a breakaway from the UK (Matt Writtle)
“In setting up this petition I’ve often joked with my friends that London should declare independence because it’s so politically different.”
What originally started out as a joke for Mr O’Malley has become more serious.
He says many people are taking it seriously and has floated the idea of organising pro-London independence events.
"I thought maybe I could get 200 signatures so the reaction to it has been unbelievable," he said.
“It was mainly done as a joke but some people have got in touch with me saying I should make a thing of it.
“Some people are taking it seriously so maybe I should hold a rally.”
Mr O’Malley admitted he hadn’t looked into the logistics of London becoming independent but suggested making Sadiq Khan a president.
He added: “When I set the petition up I hadn’t really thought it through but I think in a sense I’m doing the same as Boris Johnson and Michael Gove did.
“I’ve got this idea, it will be fun, and we’ll probably be fine in the end.
“I think if any city in Britain could set up on its own it would be London and we’d hopefully carry on our relationship with the EU.”
Commenting on the petition, John Gowers said an independent London would be able to impose an Australian-style immigration system.
He added: “As part of a post-exit United Kingdom, London faces economic instability and the cessation of trade deals with the EU.
“As an independent city-state and the newest EU member, London could reassert its status as one of the financial capitals of the world.”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said today that "there was no need to panic" after the vote to leave the EU.
He added that the UK will still be able to prosper without being in the EU.
The founder of a petition calling for London to gain independence from the UK is considering organising a rally after tens of thousands backed the campaign.
The petition has already attracted nearly 40,000 backers after being set up this morning by freelance writer James O’Malley, in response to the rest of the country voting to leave the EU.
It calls on London mayor Sadiq Khan to declare London an independent city state so the capital can remain in the European Union.
Mr O’Malley, who has not been to sleep since yesterday morning, said he was distraught after staying up all night to watch the referendum.
He created the petition to vent his frustration after Britain voted for Brexit.
London independence petition organiser could stage rally after Brexit
