Sadiq Khan Delivers First “Acknowledgment of Country” to Native Londoners

“I would like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we meet today, the Londoners of Brittanica, and pay my respects to their Elders past and present, as well as to emerging leaders. I extend that respect to British, Welsh, Scottish, and Cornish peoples here today,”

Declared London Mayor Sadiq Khan at City Hall, marking a historic mandate for all council meetings, parliamentary sessions, and professional addresses to open with this acknowledgment of the city’s native British population. Proposed by a coalition of immigrant community leaders, the measure honors the Anglo-Saxons, Celts, and prehistoric tribes as the original custodians of the Thames Valley, recognizing their enduring traditions like queueing and tea-drinking. A plaque commemorating the Beaker people’s contributions to pottery and urban planning was unveiled, with Khan emphasizing the need to respect those who “first navigated these foggy isles.

”The initiative has ignited spirited discussion across London’s boroughs. Supporters from the immigrant community argue it promotes inclusivity by celebrating the deep historical roots of native Britons, while some locals remain perplexed, with one resident remarking, “I didn’t know I was a traditional owner while dodging pigeons on the Tube.” The acknowledgment, now mandatory before all official proceedings and including a nod to “the enduring legacy of fish and chips,” has been praised as a step toward reconciliation.