Sadiq Khan wins historic third term as Mayor of London

He beat his nearest rival, Conservative Susan Hall, by 275,000 votes

Labour's Sadiq Khan is re-elected as the Mayor of London, at City Hall
Author: Kat WrightPublished 5th May 2024
Last updated 5th May 2024

Labour's Sadiq Khan has stormed to victory in the London mayoral election.

Incumbent mayor Mr Khan beat his nearest rival, Tory candidate Susan Hall, in a contest beset by criticism of his decision to expand London's ultra low emission zone.

He secured just over 1,088,000 votes to be re-elected London Mayor, - a majority of 275,000 over Conservative rival Ms Hall, who secured just under 813,000 votes.

In his victory speech at City Hall, Sadiq Khan has said "it's time" for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to call a general election.

The London mayor said: "I pledge to have a constant focus on all the other issues that Londoners also care about: the rising cost of living, crime on our streets, homelessness, affordable housing.

"For the last eight years, London has been swimming against the tide of a Tory 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.

"A general election will not just pave the path to a new direction for our country, but it will make bold action Londoners want to see a reality."

Mayor of London booed

Mr Khan was met with boos as he took to the stage after his re-election was announced.

Speaking at City Hall, Mr Khan said: "Thank you from the bottom of my heart, thank you London."

At that point, a man walked onto the stage and chanted "Khan killed London".

The crowd was warned that security would remove people who disrupt the speeches.

"It's truly an honour to be re-elected for a third term, and do so with a record level of support from Londoners"

Sadiq Khan thanked his family for their support, but apologised for them facing "protests by our home" and "threats."

Mr Khan said: "A special thank you goes to my mum, everything she's done for me. I love you. And to my amazing wife, Saadiya, and our daughters Anisah and Ammarah, for their strength and support throughout all these years.

"I know there have been times when this job has taken a toll on you. But that's not right, or fair.

"Some of the stuff on social media, the protests by our home, the threats. It's upsetting, it's frightening and it's wrong. I'm truly sorry for putting you through this.

"But I also know, you share my belief as hard as it can be sometimes, this work is worth doing because it means being able to give to other families the same life-changing opportunities that this wonderful city has extended to ours. I love you all so much."

"We faced a campaign of non-stop negativity, but I couldn't be more proud that we answered the fearmongering 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.

"It's truly an honour to be re-elected for a third term, and do so with a record level of support from Londoners, with an increased margin of victory."

Response from beaten Conservative candidate, Susan Hall

Susan Hall delivering her speech after losing to Said Khan in mayoral election

Susan Hall has said Sadiq Khan should stop "patronising" people who care about London.

Speaking at City Hall after the election results came in, she said: "I'd like to congratulate all my fellow mayoral candidates and congratulate Sadiq on his victory.

"Spending a year campaigning for this election has been an honour and a privilege. I have loved speaking to Londoners about the things that matter to them.

"The thing that matters the most, and to me, is reforming the Met and making London safe again. I hope Sadiq makes this his top priority.

"He owes it to the families of those thousands of people who have lost lives to knife crime under his mayoralty.

"And I hope too that he stops patronising people, like me, who care. This isn't an episode of The Wire, this is real life on his watch."

There were 1,088,225 people voting for Sadiq Khan, with Conservative rival Susan Hall second with 812,397 votes (32.7%) and Liberal Democrat Rob Blackie on 145,184 (5.84%), narrowly ahead of Zoe Garbett (Green) with 145,114 (5.84%).

Howard Cox (Reform) got 78,865 votes, (3.17%), Natalie Campbell (Independent) 47,815 (1.92%), Amy Gallagher (Social Democratic Party) 34,449 (1.39%), Femy Amin (Animal Welfare Party) 29,280 (1.18%), Andreas Michli (Independent) 26,121 (1.05%), Tarun Ghulati (Independent) 24,702 (0.99%), Count Binface 24,260 (0.98%), Nick Scanlon (Britain First) 20,519 (0.83%), Brian Rose (London Real Party) was last with 7,501 (0.3%).

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