The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has waded into the debate about introducing admission charges at national museums in London, saying that “art and culture are for everyone—no matter where they’re from, or how much money they earn.” In an op-ed piece written for LBC , Khan makes the case for free entry, emphasising that “free museums and galleries are a fundamental part of London life”. “It wasn’t until the [Labour] government at the time introduced free admission that everything changed,” he says. The mayor notes that visits to formerly pay-to-enter museums in London increased by approximately 151% in the decade following the change, and that museums have become a “third space” for Londoners. Charging overseas visitors for entry—not British residents who have already paid their share—simply recognises that they, as relatively well-off beneficiaries, should contribute.”