Pakistani bus driver’s son Sadiq Khan wins historic third term as London mayor

LONDON: Pakistani bus driver’s son Sadiq Khan has stormed to victory in the London mayoral election, making history as the first ever person in British history to clinch three terms as London Mayor.

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

Khan needed to win a simple majority of ballots cast, as the rules for the mayoral race were changed to a first-past-the-post voting system ahead of the latest election. He secured just over 1,088,000 votes to be re-elected London Mayor, a majority of some 275,000 over Conservative rival Ms Hall, who secured just under 813,000 votes. It is the first time any candidate for London mayor has won a third term of office, with Khan’s predecessors Boris Johnson and Ken Livingstone both having served two terms.

Speaking in London following his historic win, Khan called for a general election and apologised to his family for the “frightening” threats and protests outside their home they have endured while he has been in office. Speaking at City Hall, Khan said: “We faced a campaign of non-stop negativity, but I couldn’t be more proud that we answered the fear mongering 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.” The Mayor of London said: “For the last eight years London has been swimming against the tide of a Tory government and now with a Labour party that is ready to govern again under Keir Starmer it is time for Rishi Sunak to give the public a choice.

“A general election wouldn’t just pave the path for a new direction for our country, it will make bold action Londoners want to see a reality.”

Sadiq Khan said his “determination to ensure London leads from the front with world-leading green action remains as strong as ever”.

He added: “Today’s not about making history, it’s about shaping our future.

“A future where children can be nourished with free school meals and breathe cleaner air, where all Londoners are given the support and helping hand they need to fulfil their potential, and where our social fabric is strengthened and our diverse communities cherished and celebrated.

“My determination to ensure London leads from the front with world-leading green action remains as strong as ever.

“We’ve already made great strides cleaning up our air and will continue to tackle pollution, whether it’s found on our streets or in our rivers.”

Khan also thanked his mum, wife and two daughters for their strength and support. He apologised for putting them through the protests and threats he has faced during his tenure.

“A special thank 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.”

In his victory speech, the newly re-elected mayor said he had “faced a campaign of non-stop negativity”, while his defeated Tory opponent told him to stop “patronising” people and that knife crime “isn’t an episode of The Wire”.

It followed “wild rumours” the incumbent could have suffered a shock defeat, although both sides subsequently said they believed Khan would win.

While congratulating Khan on his victory, Ms Hall said he should stop “patronising” people who care about London. When she had previously challenged him in a mayoral debate about “gangs running around with machetes” in the capital, he had said she should “stop watching The Wire” - a gritty US-based crime drama.

In her concession speech, she said: “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.”

The pair had repeatedly clashed during the campaign, fought out amid concerns about knife crime and the handling of pro-Palestinian marches in the capital.

Just recently, Khan had described his Conservative rival as the “most dangerous candidate I have fought against” over her past social media activity.