As it turns out, it wasn't that close. Sadiq Khan secured 44% of the vote, beating Conservative challenger Susan Hall's 33% and securing a historic third term as Mayor of London. Rather, the uncertainty surrounding changing the voting system to a first-come, first-served post seemed to be the focus of interest among Khan's supporters.
The Mayor has been given a sound mandate, and the time has come to fulfill it. But events in recent days have made clear the scale of the challenge he faces. Since the results were announced on Saturday, there have been three knife murders in the capital, in Bethnal Green, Waltham Forest and Enfield. Then there's housing, a long-term project that requires urgent action now to increase supply and ultimately lower rents.
Khan is a perfect political operator. His increased vote share speaks for itself as he seeks a third consecutive term. What he actually does over the next four years will go a long way in determining his legacy.
Lessons for the Conservative Party
Meanwhile, the Conservative Party must learn important lessons from this result. If we want to win in London, we must choose candidates who do more than represent a passionate but ultimately underserved segment of the electorate. Getting his third of the votes is no shame, but it was never enough.
There was little good news for Conservatives across the country. The loss of hundreds of council seats and the Blackpool South by-election may have been priced in at this point, but Andy Street's defeat in the West Midlands mayoral election has scared Tory backers. likely, and many still hope to become relatively popular incumbents. It might save them.
Suggestions that the country is headed for a hung parliament risk making the prime minister appear out of touch with reality. Anything can happen in our volatile politics, but both the polls and this local election show a very different story.
The Melancholy of Rail Strike
Now that the rain has finally stopped and the sun has begun to shine in the capital, you can trust that the railway unions will take a break from the rain by interfering with passengers' daily lives. Some of London's busiest commuter routes, including the Southern South Eastern and South Western Railway, have seen major disruption to rail services after members of the Aslef trade union quit as part of a long-running dispute over wages. There is.
The inconvenience for businesses and workers will be felt across the city, with retail and hospitality industries hit hardest. Londoners cannot continue to be held to ransom like this.
