Sadiq Khan’s New Year’s celebration for London expertly trolled the Brexiters – our 14 favourite reactions
As light displays and fireworks lit up the globe for the various phases of New Year across the time zones, Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, made sure the capital’s celebration had a message beyond “Happy New Year”. By cunningly lighting the London Eye ferris wheel, he managed to achieve a kind of EU flag effect that rattled some cages.
This is the spectacular sight and the message behind it.
https://twitter.com/SadiqKhan/status/1080161522150752257
And this is the effect it had on Brexiters.
Are you bloody kidding me? You put the EU flag on the London Eye on New Year’s Eve? WTAF? https://t.co/PNvWe7OhXy
— Julia Hartley-Brewer (@JuliaHB1) January 1, 2019
Sadiq Khan honestly reminds me of Trump. Crass. Does what he likes without thought for other people's views. No diplomacy. No forward thinking. The list goes on. https://t.co/RL6jJ58w07
— Charlotte Gill (@CharlotteCGill) January 1, 2019
While the UK is locked in critical negotiations with Brussels, Sadiq Khan chooses to display the other side’s flag on the London Eye. Would he have shown an Argentinian flag during the Falklands War? https://t.co/d2O0bHbBPn
— Roger Helmer (@RogerHelmerMEP) January 1, 2019
MP Andrew Bridgen described the light show as “a betrayal of democracy” in a tabloid interview.
Both the display and the Brexiters’ reactions were the subject of much comment on the internet.
1.
2019 has barely begun and if I see a better act of trolling I'll be stunned. pic.twitter.com/cXpn5hLSrT
— Alan White (@aljwhite) January 1, 2019
2.
Enjoying the same people who throw around the term 'snowflakes' getting upset by the London Eye turning blue and yellow today. pic.twitter.com/DQ76PJ9LNo
— Jono Read (@jonoread) January 1, 2019
3.
Great trolling indeed, but this from Brenda takes some beating. pic.twitter.com/7W00PpQUUw
— Marian Shiels (@SemperHibernia) January 1, 2019
4.
Brexiters: “You Remainers are such snowflakes!”
Also Brexiters: “SADIQ KHAN MADE AN EU FLAG OUT OF FIREWORKS AND I’M ABSOLUTELY FUCKING FURIOUS!!” https://t.co/tZWX73cZnI
— Damon Evans (@damocrat) January 1, 2019
5.
The EU flag has 12 stars, Julia.
This is just a blue circle with yellow dots.
It's almost as though she judges things based purely on colour. https://t.co/JFilty669Z
— Russ (@RussInCheshire) January 1, 2019
6.
May: pic.twitter.com/hjnlqUNsSk
— Tom Filby (@tomfilby) January 1, 2019
7.
Congratulations. You made Julia Hartley-Brewer's brain explode.
A fine piece of public service if ever I saw one. https://t.co/5IYkFo7Zkk
— Graham Lithgow (@grahamlithgow) January 1, 2019