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‘By seeing London, I have seen as much of life as the world can show.’ Those words surely ring as true now as they did when Samuel Johnson first wrote them almost 250 years ago.

Our city is bustling with life, bursting with creativity and overflowing with energy, ideas and imagination. It is a place that takes enormous pride in its diverse and cosmopolitan culture. And, as we are reminded on Valentine’s Day, it is somewhere you are free to be whoever you want to be, and love whoever you want to love — irrespective of your race, nationality, religion, social class, sexuality or background.

One of London’s defining features is without question our incredible diversity. London is the world in one city, with more than 300 languages spoken on our streets and communities of all kinds living cheek by jowl. The fact that we are home to people of every colour, class, culture and creed is precisely what makes London so special.

There can be no doubting that over many decades, we have benefited immensely from the huge contribution made by countless different communities. From our food and football teams to our public services and private businesses, people of all faiths, nationalities and backgrounds have played a major part in writing our success story.

Indeed, Londoners who can trace their heritage back to every continent and corner of the globe have boosted our economy, enhanced our quality of life and made our city a better and brighter place for everyone to live.

For this reason, the overwhelming majority of Londoners recognise that our diversity isn’t a weakness, but one of our greatest strengths. Fundamentally, we know that multiculturalism isn’t a cause of the problems affecting our society today, as some are trying to make out, but that it’s a source of pride, progress and prosperity for us all.

This is why, on the whole, Londoners don’t just tolerate each other’s differences, they respect, celebrate and embrace them. It’s this outlook that makes our city a beacon for people around the world. It acknowledges that there is inherent value in not simply accepting other cultures, but in truly cherishing, experiencing and interacting with them.

I like to think this is what Zadie Smith was referring to when she said being a Londoner is a ‘state of mind’ because it’s this that I love most about our city and why I believe London to be the greatest city in the world.

I cannot imagine many other capitals that would make someone who is the child of immigrants, of Islamic faith and from a working-class background their Mayor. It’s deeply humbling to think about but also a constant reminder that my family and I owe everything to this city. That’s why I’m committed to preserving the London promise: the idea that if you work hard and play by the rules, you’ll get a helping hand that allows you to achieve anything regardless of your faith, ethnicity or background.

"Our city is at its strongest when we are building bridges, not walls" Sadiq Khan

In practice, this means making sure that the next generation of Londoners can get on the housing ladder, afford their commute, breathe clean air and access the opportunities they need to make the most of their talents and fulfil their potential.

But at a time when hostility to difference is on the rise and Brexit is casting a long shadow, it also means standing firm behind our open and inclusive values. A key ingredient of our city’s success has always been the flow of talented people coming here from across the globe. This is certainly true of the one million EU citizens who have chosen to make London their home but who now face an uncertain future.

We must never lose sight of the fact that when discussing the future of EU citizens in our city we are talking about our colleagues, neighbours, friends, family members and loved ones. My message to them has consistently been: you are Londoners, we value your contribution and you belong here. And I will continue to say loud and proud that London is, and always will be, open.

The simple truth is our city is at its strongest when we are building bridges, not walls. From our world-leading financial services sector and fantastic fashion brands, to our creative industries and blossoming tech scene, London draws inspiration — and gains a competitive edge — from its international character.

This is clear for all to see, not only in our economy, but in our art, music and food. It’s why we have some of the best museums, theatres and galleries in the world. It’s why we are vibrant, dynamic and forward-thinking. And it’s why we are a conveyor belt for talent, producing stars such as Riz Ahmed, Anthony Joshua, Naomi Campbell, Dina Asher-Smith, John Boyega, Stormzy, Adele, Letitia Wright, Gemma Chan, Harry Kane and Michaela Coel.

I don’t deny that we face some major challenges ahead. But we should never forget that we live in the greatest city in the world, and if we stay true to the values, outlook, optimism and ambition that earned us this reputation in the first place, the world’s love affair with London — and our own — can only deepen.