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Amy Lamé has stepped down as London’s night czar – and nightlife could be poorer for it | Ed Gillett

She was derided as toothless and overpaid – but often by right-wingers with a broader motive. Rather than cheer her departure, let’s advocate for London’s vibrant culture

To her detractors, she’s “done more damage to culture than the Taliban” and proved that we don’t really need a night czar in the first place – an argument perhaps tacitly acknowledged by the mayor’s office declining to mention plans for a successor. The launch of a Women’s Night Safety Charter might not feel as urgent as clubs being threatened with closure, or attract the same headlines, but bringing together the police, councils, transport and others on this issue is meaningful and important work. Looking at social media reactions to her departure, it’s striking that the most consistently enthusiastic comments aren’t from ravers, DJs, or venue owners, but Conservative councillors and rightwing journalists queuing up to toast her demise.

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