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Sadiq Khan clinches London mayor's post for record third time

Khan defeats his Conservative rival Susan Hall by more than 276,000 votes, winning 9 of 14 constituencies

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Web Desk

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Murtaza Ali Shah

May 04, 2024


Mayor of London and Labour Party candidate Sadiq Khan arrives for the announcement of the results of the London mayoral election, at City Hall in London, Britain May 4, 2024. — Reuters

Khan defeats rival Susan Hall by more than 276,000 votes.

His victory widely expected despite some public anger.

Khan became first Muslim mayor of British capital in 2016.

Pakistan-origin Briton Sadiq Khan has swept to victory in the London mayor’s election for a record third time as the polls results poured in Labour party's favour, BBC reported on Saturday. 


Khan defeated his Conservative rival Susan Hall by more than 276,000 votes and won nine of the 14 constituencies including two gains from the Tories.


Sir Keir Starmer’s party continued to count gains after Khan's landslide victory against his nearest rival, in a contest dominated by criticisms of his decision to expand London’s ultra low emission zone.


Keir had signalled he was confident of Khan’s victory before declarations commenced, as he counted mayoral victories for his party in Liverpool, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, and in Greater Manchester where Andy Burnham returned to power.


In a fresh challenge to the prime minister to call an election, Sir Keir said: “Fourteen years and, I am sorry, I don’t care which political party you support, if you leave your country in a worse state than when you found it 14 years later, you do not deserve to be in government for a moment longer.”


Khan needed to win a simple majority of ballots cast, as the rules for the mayoral race were changed to a first-past-the-post voting system ahead of the latest election.


Khan's victory, his third in a row, was widely expected despite some public anger over knife crime and the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which charges drivers of older, more polluting vehicles a daily fee.


London is the latest of dozens of English councils and mayoralties that Labour has won in the local elections that took place on Thursday, inflicting heavy losses on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservatives.


"It's been a difficult few months, we faced a campaign of non-stop negativity," Khan said in a speech after the results showed he had won 43.8% of the vote against 33% for the Conservatives' candidate, Susan Hall.


"For the last eight years, London has been swimming against the tide of a Tory (Conservative) government and now with a Labour Party that's ready to govern again under Keir Starmer, it's time for Rishi Sunak to give the public a choice."


Opinion polls predict that Labour will win the next national election, propelling Starmer to power and ending 14 years of Conservative government in Britain.


Khan, 53, who became the first Muslim mayor of the British capital in 2016, has pledged to build more social housing and work with a future national Labour government to boost police capacity.


Speaking at City Hall, Mr Khan said: "We faced a campaign of non-stop negativity, but I couldn't be more proud that we answered the fear-mongering with facts, hate with hope, and attempts to divide with efforts to unite.


"We ran a campaign that was in keeping with the spirit and values of this great city, a city that regards our diversity not as a weakness, but as an almighty strength - and one that rejects right hard-wing populism and looks forward, not back."


The Mayor of London said: “For the last eight years London has been swimming against the tide of a Tory government and now with a Labour party that is ready to govern again under Keir Starmer it is time for Rishi Sunak to give the public a choice.


“A general election wouldn’t just pave the path for a new direction for our country, it will make bold action Londoners want to see a reality.”


Sadiq Khan said his “determination to ensure London leads from the front with world-leading green action remains as strong as ever”.


He added: “Today’s not about making history, it’s about shaping our future.


“A future where children can be nourished with free school meals and breathe cleaner air, where all Londoners are given the support and helping hand they need to fulfil their potential, and where our social fabric is strengthened and our diverse communities cherished and celebrated.


“My determination to ensure London leads from the front with world-leading green action remains as strong as ever.


“We’ve already made great strides cleaning up our air and will continue to tackle pollution, whether it’s found on our streets or in our rivers.”