Mayoral hopeful Zac Goldsmith paid tribute to London's Sikh community in a visit to Southall's Gurdwara ahead of the elections.
The Conservative party candidate met with community leaders on Sunday (March 6) where he addressed those who gathered at the west London venue to discuss what the next Mayor could change for the district.
Mr Goldsmith said: “London’s 126,000 Sikhs make a huge contribution to our great capital city and I am honoured that you have invited me to join you at this magnificent gurdwara this morning.
"One of the reasons London is the greatest city on earth is because of its diversity, different groups within London get along with each other and I think that’s something precious, something the next Mayor of London needs to do everything they can to protect.
"Your values of hard work, honesty, treating everyone equally and being generous to the less fortunate are values for all of London.”
In his speech, the candidate said he has a clear record for delivering for his constituents, even if it meant taking on the government.
He told listeners: "I’ll stand up for Londoners on the big issues such as homes, safe streets and transport.
"Sadiq Khan would be Jeremy Corbyn’s man in London and we simply cannot afford a four year Corbyn-Khan experiment with our great city.”
He went on to pledge to deliver more homes for Londoners, protect transport investment and the number of police on London’s streets and to clean up the air for places like Southall .
In a tour of the Gurdwara, a place of worship for Sikhs, Mr Goldsmith was presented with a scarf and enjoyed tea and snacks with Vice President Sohan Singh Sumra before discussions surrounding air pollution and parking took place.
Mr Sumra told getwestlondon : "It was a pleasure to have a candidate come and visit us, all parties are welcome here.
"He seemed very honest and what he emphasised was how he only makes promises about things he knows he can definitely do."
He added: "We didn't ask him what he could do for our Sikh community, but what he can do for Southall as a whole.
"Sikhs are hardworking and we work with the British community we're involved with to make Southall better."
