A TOWN has created a bonfire night effigy of London Mayor Sadiq Khan — because of his hated Ulez car crackdown.
A 35ft Guy of Mr Khan will go up in flames in Edenbridge, Kent, where residents are now hit by the extended levy on polluting vehicles if they drive just a few miles closer to the capital.
The effigy, holding an Ulez sign and wads of cash, will be paraded through the town, which chooses a different celebrity “villain” as its Guy every year.
Bonfire Society chairman Bill Cummings said: “Sadiq Khan’s decision to extend Ulez has affected many people here.”
The Edenbridge guy has become a highlight of the bonfire season with previous public figures put for ridicule including Liz Truss, Boris Johnson, Harvey Weinstein, Donald Trump, Katie Hopkins, Russell Brand, Jonathan Ross, Katie Price, Lance Armstrong, Anne Robinson and Saddam Hussein.
Mr Khan was chosen by popular demand over other 2023 contenders such as Suella Braverman, Russell Brand, Phillip Schofield and Harry and Meghan.
The Ulez scheme first launched in 2019 to help clean up London’s air, and it discourages drivers from using the most polluting vehicles by charging them a daily fee to enter the zone.
Edenbridge Bonfire Society chairman, Bill Cummings, said: “This year we have chosen Sadiq Khan whose decision to extend the Ultra Low Emission Zone has affected many people living and working in our town.
“Unlike those living inside the new extended zone, there is no support for people who live outside it but whose livelihoods and commitments have been greatly affected by this decision.”
On November 4, nearly 10,000 people are expected to travel from London, Surrey, Kent and Sussex to attend the biggest event in the Edenbridge calendar.
Mr Khan’s effigy will be paraded through Edenbridge High Street in a torch-lit carnival procession involving 550 people.
Edenbridge Bonfire Society has been celebrating bonfire night for 95 years and even featured on Pathe News clips dating back to the 1950s.
Winston Churchill is one of several famous figures to have opened the Kent town’s bonfire night celebrations.
