This month marks twenty years since the 7/7 London bombings, a tragedy that forever changed our city and left deep scars across our communities.
On that day in 2005, four coordinated suicide attacks on the London transport network claimed the lives of 52 innocent people and injured hundreds more. It was the deadliest terrorist incident on British soil since the Lockerbie bombing and the first carried out by British-born extremists. The impact still reverberates across London and the entire nation.
Earlier this week, I was honoured to attend the commemoration service at St Paul’s Cathedral. It was a solemn, powerful occasion, where survivors, families of the victims, emergency service workers, and public representatives came together to reflect, mourn, and stand united in defiance of hate. The silence in that great cathedral was deafening, as we remembered each life lost. When their names were read aloud it was a reminder that behind every statistic is a person whose absence is still felt every day.
The service also served as a reminder of the resilience and strength shown by Londoners in the face of unimaginable horror. I will never forget the images of commuters helping each other, the bravery of emergency services workers rushing into danger, and the overwhelming sense of unity that followed. London was shaken, but it did not fall apart.
Through adversity, our communities stood strong, more determined than ever to reclaim our place and our voice. Faith leaders, community organisers, and ordinary citizens worked tirelessly to bring people together, foster understanding, and prevent divisions from deepening. We must continue that work today. The fight against extremism, in all its forms, is a collective responsibility.
At Mayor’s Question Time recently I brought this issue to the forefront and sought assurances that sufficient funding was going into tackling the unique challenges that London faces as a major capital city as the sheer volume of targets and locations in our city is vast. The Government has stepped up their support to London with an uplift on our capital city grant to the tune of £63 million.
7/7 taught us that terrorism seeks not just to kill, but to divide. It thrives on hatred and fear. We must always resist that. As we reflect on the events of that terrible day, let us remember those we lost and renew our commitment to a more united, compassionate, and inclusive Britain.
Their memory lives on in our grief, our unity, and in our resolve to never let hatred win.
