Sadiq Khan MP recently launched a new campaign "One Society, Many Cultures" together with cross-party political figures, religious leaders, trade unionists and anti-racist campaigners and pledged to stand up against division and hatred and defend the right to freedom of thought, religion and culture.

The campaign aims to bring together people of all faiths and none. It will monitor and respond to discrimination against different communities as well as promote the positive benefits of diversity for the economy, culture and society generally.

Other speakers at the event included, Ken Livingstone, Simon Hughes MP, Emily Thornberry MP, Susan Kramer MP, Dr Abdul Bari - Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, Rabbi Lee Wax - Jewish Council for Racial Equality, Bruce Kent - Vice President of Pax Christi, Dabinderjit Singh OBE - Sikh Secretariat, Anas Altikriti- British Muslim Initiative, Billy Hayes - General Secretary of the Communications Workers Union, Diana Holland - Assistant General Secretary of Unite and Shabby Dhalu - Unite Against Fascism.

The Rt Hon Sadiq Khan MP said "I was born and raised in London, the most diverse city in the world and went to the local school where i thought nothing of mixing with different faiths and different races and backgrounds... It is a badge of shame that we have the BNP sat on the London Assembly and in the European parliament, representing this country."

Ken Livingstone said "The launch of One Society Many Cultures could not be more timely. Britain's history is riddled with examples of communities being vilified, from the jewish refugees of the early 20th century being accused of bringing diseases here, to the "No Blacks, No Irish, No Dogs" signs that were common place in the 1960s. We have made huge progress but there is always a backlash. Today the Muslim community and asylum seekers are being targeted. All communities make a choice about the way they live their lives;that is why cities like London are socially, culturally and economically competetive on the world stage. This is a template for the future of humanity, as it faces the challenge of climate change and the demand for resources. The only way we get through this is together. Our city coped so well after the bombings because of our unity and respect for each other. I am proud that there was not one reprisal attack, which is what the bombs were intended for. The British identity is the biggest mixing bowl in human history. This is what makes it successful . We must resist the idea that 'Britishness' is telling communities how to live their lives. It may start with the Muslim community but will end up being directed against all of us."