All in the name of diversity.
Via The Sun:
The mayor – an arch Remainer – insisted he wanted the show to celebrate “our close relationship with Europe”.
And organisers seemed to go out of their way to make sure it did – as the startling display kicked off with the words ‘London is open’ spoken in SEVEN languages over the loud speakers.
Mr Khan spoke the phrase in English around two minutes into the new year after it was announced in Spanish, Polish, French, Romanian, German and Italian.
Those who stood beside the River Thames rang in the New Year with a soundtrack that openly celebrated the work of musicians from across Europe.
‘We Are Your Friends’ and ‘Stay and Don’t Leave Me Alone’ were among the songs chosen for the 11-minute soundtrack, which featured artists from Ireland, France, Sweden and elsewhere.
And the London Eye was lit up to resemble an EU flag as the song There For You, by drum and bass artist Culture Shock, rang out.
Before the sold-out event Mr Khan said he hoped it would show the rest of Europe that the capital will remain ‘open-minded’ and ‘outward looking’ post-Brexit.
However, his carefully-laid plans did not go down well with everyone with many taking to Twitter to accuse him of using tax payers cash to score political points.