The Conservative London Mayor candidate, Susan Hall, has U-turned her support for free school meals despite pledging to continue with the scheme last year.
Hall Makes U-Turn on Free School Meals
During a recent London Mayoral hustings, Conservative candidate Susan Hall U-turned on her support for free school meals.
Khan’s School Meal Policy
The current Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, introduced a policy ensuring that children from all backgrounds receive school meals paid for by the taxpayer.
Hall’s Previous Pledge
Last year, Susan Hall pledged to keep Khan’s free school meal policy if elected as mayor, although her stance has changed.
Khan’s Clashes at Hustings Event
At a recent hustings event, Sadiq Khan clashed with several candidates, including Hall herself, who criticised Khan for his attitude towards knife crime.
Taxpayer Picking Up The Tab
Susan Hall also criticized the Labour candidate for his free school meals policy, arguing that the taxpayer shouldn’t be paying for the meals of wealthy school kids.
“No Such Thing” As Free School Meals
Hall insisted, “There is no such thing as a free school meal,” reminding the crowd that People have to pay for it.”
Poorer Families Bearing the Brunt
Hall argued that the city’s poorest families now have to pick up the tab for the school meals of wealthy children.
“People on the Breadline” Paying For School Meals
According to Hall, “We could have people on the breadline without children having to pay for food for people who may be millionaires’ children.”
Hall’s Pledge in 2023
Last year, Hall said she would maintain Khan’s free school meal policy “for as long as the cost of living situation requires it.”
Tory Recession in 2024
The country is still facing a cost-of-living crisis, and the Tories are currently under scrutiny for allowing the country to slip into a recession at the beginning of the year.
Khan’s £140m Spending
Despite the economic crisis still raging, Susan Hall has withdrawn her support for free school meals, claiming that Khan has spent £140 million a year on the initiative.
Hall Claimed Free School Meals are “Only Right”
Hall insisted that “While the cost of living situation remains difficult for so many families, it is right that more children have access to free school meals” during an interview last year.
Khan’s Brutal Response
Khan responded to Hall’s claims with an anecdote that referred to her as a school head teacher who “hates kids” and has no qualifications for the role.
Susan Has “No Qualifications”
According to Khan, “Susan acts like somebody who applies to be the headteacher of a school but hates kids, hates teachers, hates parents and has no qualifications.”
Khan Puts Questions to Hall
Khan asked Hall why she wanted to be mayor of London when she was always talking the city “down,” advising her to “talk our city up” instead and “be constructive.”
Hall’s Accusations Towards Khan
Hall responded by agreeing that London “is a great city” that “needs a great mayor” accusing Khan of blaming other people for his mistakes.
Election Day on May 2nd
Recent polls have revealed the extent of Khan’s lead in the election race, with voting scheduled for May 2nd in what Khan described as a “two-horse race.”
Khan Leads With 51%
The Savanta poll showed that Khan leads the election race with 51% of the vote, with Hall sitting in second place with 27%.
Khan’s Heckler Removed
Hall wasn’t the only one to criticize Khan at the hustings event, as one other candidate was removed from the building for heckling Khan.
Khan’s Knife Crime Policy Under Scrutiny
Due to Khan’s perceived lack of urgency regarding knife crime in London, one candidate, Andreas Michli, decided to heckle Khan during his speech before being removed by security.
Khan Leading in the Polls
Khan’s popularity among his fellow candidates is understandably not very high, although he still leads the polls substantially ahead of May 2nd.
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The post “No Such Thing As a Free School Meal” – London Mayoral Candidate Dramatically U-Turns On Her Promise first appeared on Edge Media.
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