London Mayor Election: Labour Party’s Sadiq Khan has clinched a historic third term as the Mayor of London, emerging victorious in a closely contested battle against Conservative candidate Susan Hall, as per election results declared on Saturday afternoon. Despite early polling suggesting a comfortable lead for Khan, the contest remained fiercely competitive, with Khan himself characterising it as a “close two-horse race”.
“Winning this election was never going to be easy, and I’m deeply humbled that Londoners have put their faith in me for a third term,” remarked Khan on his victory, as quoted by the Guardian.
According to UK-based The Telegraph, Sadiq Khan secured a majority of 276,428 votes as opposed to Conservative challenger, Susan Hall. He won 43.9 per cent of the vote to Hall’s 32.7 per cent.
The outcome of the election hinged on a variety of factors, including voter turnout and shifting sentiments towards the political parties. According to London Elects, the voter turnout stood at 40.5%, with Bexley and Bromley recording the highest constituency turnout at 48%.
Khan’s team exuded confidence as Labour secured key constituencies from the Conservatives, signalling a turning tide in the race well before the final result was announced.
London Mayor Election 2024
However, the path to victory was not without its challenges. Labour sources cited by the Guardian described a tense atmosphere on Friday night, with a temporary halt in the counting process leading to a vacuum filled by speculation and rumour-mongering on social media.
“This election has been a rollercoaster ride, with twists and turns that kept us on edge until the very end,” admitted a Labour insider, as quoted by the Guardian’s report.
Significantly, this mayoral election marked the first time voters encountered changes to the electoral system introduced by the Conservatives, including a shift to a first-past-the-post contest and the requirement to present photo ID at polling stations. These changes were expected to impact Labour’s vote share.
Meanwhile, criticism was levelled at Hall’s campaign strategy, with some observers noting a lack of substantive vision beyond anti-Khan rhetoric.
“In London, there’s been no positive vision, and Hall is hardly a local champion. She has only set out what she won’t do,” remarked a London Conservative MP, as per the report.
The result also comes amidst a wave of Labour victories in mayoral elections across the north of England.
