Election of the mayor of London: who are the challenger candidates? UK News

On May 6, Londoners will have a record number of candidates to choose from as they head to the polls to decide London’s next mayor.

A total of 20 candidates are running in the May election, but while voters may be familiar with current Mayor Sadiq Khan and his opponents from the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Greens, there are many more candidates running.

The following candidates join Sadiq Khan, Shaun Bailey, Luisa Porritt and Sian Berry on the ballot:

Kam Balayev – Renew Party

Launched in 2018, the Renew Party is a centrist political party that was formed to ‘mend broken UK politics’.

His candidate for mayor of London this year is former Azerbaijani-born lawyer Kam Balayev.

Mr Balayev said he wanted to be a “champion” of small businesses, while promoting a “green, healthy and sustainable city”.

His political commitments include the introduction of an additional income in London, similar to a universal basic income, and reductions for first-time homebuyers in the capital.

Earl Binface – Earl Binface for Mayor of London

Formerly known as Lord Buckethead, Earl Binface is a satirical candidate who once ran for MP against Boris Johnson in his constituency of Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

His policies for the mayoral election of London include the finishing of Crossrail as well as the renaming of London Bridge after actress and writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

Piers Corbyn – Let London Live

Brother of former Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn, Piers Corbyn has been criticized for his anti-lockdown stance and denial of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In addition to promising an end to all foreclosure and social distancing restrictions, Mr Corbyn also said he would abandon the planned ULEZ extension and convert empty commercial properties into homes.

Max Fosh – Independent

Max Fosh is a Youtuber with over 400,000 subscribers who said he was running for mayor in London “just to get more votes than Laurence Fox”.

Laurence Fox – The recovery night

Like Piers Corbyn, former actor Laurence Fox has also come under fire for his vaccine skepticism and anti-lockdown views.

Mr Fox said he would “end the lockdown now and permanently” and focus on “building more homes and respecting our heritage”.

Peter Gammons – UKIP

Peter Gammons, former Baptist pastor and motivational speaker, represents UKIP in London’s mayoral election.

Mr Gammons has pledged to “get tough on crime” and said he will recruit an additional 8,000 police officers while working to “restore trust” between police and communities.

He also pledged to freeze the housing tax and build more truly affordable housing by building on more than 100 abandoned sites across London.

Richard Hewison – Join EU

A subsidiary of the pan-European Volt party, Rejoin EU will field candidates for the London Assembly elections and focus on the issue of restoring Britain’s membership in the European Union.

Party leader Richard Hewison is running for mayor of London and has said he will be “the main advocate for reintegration into the EU”.

Mr Hewison also said he would support London musicians and artists wishing to perform in the EU.

Vanessa Hudson – Animal Welfare Party

Leader of the Animal Welfare Party, Vanessa Hudson is running as Mayor of London with the promise “to help shape a London that rules the world – not only for people but also for animals and the environment” .

Ms Hudson pledged to push for net zero carbon status to be achieved by 2025 and said she would encourage the use of public transport and seek more government funding to improve air quality .

Steve Kelleher – Social Democratic Party

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) describes itself as “a patriotic, economically leftist and culturally traditional party”.

His candidate on May 6 is Steve Kelleher, who announced he would build 50,000 new social housing units in London each year by 2024 and recruit 10,000 more police officers.

David Kurten – Heritage Day

Current London Assembly member David Kurten split from UKIP in 2020 and was originally running for Mayor of London as an independent candidate before launching the Heritage Party in October.

Mr Kurten described himself as “socially conservative” and said the Heritage Party would defend “freedom of speech and freedom, traditional family values, national sovereignty and financial responsibility”.

He has been criticized for his anti-vaccine comments and has pledged to end the application of Covid-19 rules if he is elected mayor of London.

Farah London – Independent

The aptly named Farah London is a former businesswoman and insurance broker running for Mayor of London as an independent candidate.

Ms London said she would prioritize the public …