Sadiq Khan was re-elected as Mayor of London, with the final results confirmed on Saturday.
Khan’s win reinforces the Labour Party’s lead over the Conservatives in local elections ahead of the UK’s national election later this year.
The victory represents Khan’s third consecutive term as mayor, achieved amidst ongoing concerns about knife crime and the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) policy, which levies a daily fee on older, higher-polluting vehicles.
Many perceived the Conservative challenger, Susan Hall, as too polarizing, which likely affected her campaign.
Labour’s success in London adds to its victories across several councils and mayoralties in these local elections, dealing significant blows to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party.
Current opinion polls suggest Labour is positioned to win the upcoming national election. This would potentially elevate its leader, Keir Starmer, to Prime Minister and conclude 14 years of Conservative rule.
Khan, 53, who made history as the first Muslim mayor of London in 2016, has committed to increasing social housing and collaborating with a prospective Labour national government to enhance police resources.