So, you think you’ve got the London Mayor thing figured out? Sadiq Khan wins, the Conservatives complain about ULEZ, and everyone else just sorta fills up the ballot paper for fun. Honestly, that’s how it’s felt for a while. But things are shifting in ways that a lot of people aren't quite tracking yet.
We are currently sitting in early 2026. The 2024 election is in the rearview mirror, but the 2028 race is already starting to bubble over. Sadiq Khan made history by snagging that third term—the first person to ever do it. But being "the first" comes with a target on your back. If you walk through Zone 1 or even the further reaches of Bromley, you’ll hear the same grumbles: housing costs that make your eyes water and a feeling that the Met Police are basically playing a permanent game of catch-up.
The Big Names and the Surprise Shifts
The list of mayor for London candidates isn't just a static list of politicians anymore. It’s becoming a bit of a celebrity magnet and a battleground for some pretty radical ideas.
Last week, the political world got a bit of a jolt. Reform UK didn’t wait around. They’ve already named Laila Cunningham as their candidate for 2028. She’s a former Crown Prosecution Service lawyer and a sitting councillor in Westminster who ditched the Tories for Nigel Farage’s crew. It’s a bold move. She’s positioning herself as the "new sheriff in town," focusing heavily on crime and even sparking massive rows over comments about stop-and-search and religious attire. It's safe to say she’s not planning on a quiet campaign.
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Then there’s the big question: Will Sadiq run again? Back in June 2025, there were whispers he was done. Private conversations leaked suggesting he’d had enough. But by September, he flipped the script, stating it was his "intention" to go for a fourth term. If he does, he might face some "friendly" fire from within his own party. Dawn Butler, the MP for Brent East, has been very clear: if Sadiq steps aside, she’s in.
Who Else is Peeking Over the Fence?
The Tory camp is currently a bit of a "wait and see" situation. After Susan Hall’s defeat in 2024, the party is looking for a heavy hitter. Names like James Cleverly and even Sebastian Coe get tossed around in the pubs near Westminster, but nothing is set in stone. The Conservatives are desperate to find someone who can bridge the gap between the "inner London" progressives and the "outer London" voters who feel like the city is leaving them behind.
And because it’s London, we always have the wildcards.
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- James Corden: Yeah, the Gavin & Stacey guy. Rumors have been swirling for months that he might swap the late-night desk for a City Hall office.
- Idris Elba: He’s already been a massive voice on knife crime. People are practically begging him to run, though he’s kept his cards close to his chest.
- Thomas Skinner: The Bosh! guy from The Apprentice. He’s claimed multiple parties have approached him.
The Issues Actually Driving the Vote
If you’re looking at the mayor for London candidates, you can’t ignore the "why." Why do people care? It’s not usually about the person; it’s about the fact that a pint costs seven quid and finding a flat that isn't a literal broom cupboard requires a miracle.
- Crime and Policing: This is the big one. Cunningham is banking on it. Khan points to falling homicide rates in 2025, but the "feeling" on the street doesn't always match the spreadsheets.
- The "Rent Freeze" Dream: Labour's base is obsessed with this. Sadiq has been lobbying for the power to freeze rents, something the national government has been pretty cold on.
- Transport Wars: ULEZ might be "old news" to some, but the expansion still stings in outer boroughs. Now the conversation is shifting to the Oxford Street pedestrianization—a massive project that Sadiq is pushing hard for 2026.
The Liberal Democrats and Greens are still very much in the mix, too. Rob Blackie and Zoe Garbett put up decent numbers last time, focusing on "smarter" policing and student travel discounts. They’re the ones pushing for the 18+ Student Oyster Card to cover all zones at a Zone 1 price. If you’re a student at UCL or King’s, that’s a policy that actually changes your life, not just a talking point.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think the Mayor is like a mini-Prime Minister. They aren't. They have huge power over transport and police, but when it comes to "banning" things or fixing the NHS, their hands are kinda tied. They have to beg the Home Secretary or the Chancellor for the big bucks.
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For example, making the Bakerloo and Central lines actually reliable would cost about £20 billion. The government gave TfL about £2.2 billion over four years. Do the math. Whoever the next mayor for London candidates are, they’re going to have to be world-class beggars or incredible innovators to find that cash.
How to Track the Race Yourself
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, don't just wait for the BBC headlines. The race for London is won in the boroughs, not just on TV.
- Check the London Assembly meetings: This is where the Mayor actually gets grilled. It’s often more revealing than a prepared press statement.
- Follow the local council defections: Laila Cunningham moving from Tory to Reform was the first domino. Watch for more.
- Watch the "Oxford Street Transformation": This is Sadiq’s big legacy project for 2026. If it succeeds, he’s golden. If it turns into a traffic nightmare, his opponents will dine out on it for years.
- Register early: Sounds boring, but if you’re a Commonwealth or EU citizen living in London, you can often vote in this when you can’t in General Elections. Don't waste the chance.
The next two years are going to be messy. We’ve got a "new sheriff" in Cunningham, a potential "four-peat" from Khan, and a bunch of celebrities waiting in the wings. London politics is never just about policy; it’s about who can claim the "soul" of the city.
Stay tuned to the polling data from groups like Savanta and Queen Mary University. They usually catch the vibes before the politicians do. Honestly, by this time next year, the list of candidates might look completely different, but the problems—housing, transport, and safety—aren't going anywhere.
To stay truly informed, make sure your voter registration is up to date through the official gov.uk portal, especially if you've moved house recently, as the Mayoral franchise is broader than the parliamentary one.