On Saturday, London Mayor Sadiq Khan was re-elected for his third term, each term lasting for five years. Khan’s re-election helps to solidify the Labour Party’s leading position in local elections before the national referendum later this year.
In the local elections held on Thursday, Labour has won dozens of council and mayoral seats, posing a challenge to the Conservative Party led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The results showed that Khan received 1,080,000 votes, surpassing Conservative candidate Susan Hall by 275,000 votes. Khan garnered a total of 43.8% of the vote, while Hall secured 33%.
Khan in his victory speech mentioned, “It has been a tough few months with an ongoing negative campaign.”
Opinion polls predict that the Labour Party will win the next general election, ushering Labour leader Keir Starmer to power and marking an end to the 14-year Conservative government in the UK. Khan called on the Labour Party to be ready to govern again under Starmer’s leadership, urging Sunak to offer the public a choice.
The 53-year-old Khan became London’s first Muslim mayor in 2016. His current re-election surpasses the two terms of his predecessor, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. He has pledged to build more social housing and collaborate with a future national Labour government to enhance policing capabilities.
Results of the mayoral election in West Midlands, including the second-largest city Birmingham, are expected to be announced later on Saturday. Conservative Mayor Andy Street is anticipated to be re-elected, but reports indicate that some votes are being recounted, suggesting a tight race.