When Is The Next Election For London Mayor

So, you want to know when London’s next big political party happens? Grab a cuppa. Let’s talk about the next election for Mayor of London.

The short answer? Thursday, 4 May 2024. Mark it on your calendar. Or your phone. Or tattoo it on your forehead—whatever works.

Why This Election Is Basically a Reality Show

Forget The Apprentice. The London Mayor race is way more entertaining. You’ve got candidates who ride bikes, drive tanks, and sometimes do press conferences in animal costumes.

This isn’t just about who runs the Tube. It’s about who gets to be the city’s biggest cheerleader—and its favorite punching bag.

Think of the Mayor as the head of a giant, chaotic family. They have to deal with traffic, housing, and whether to put a giant rubber duck in the Thames.

What Exactly Does a Mayor Do?

They control the police (the Met). They manage transport (London buses, Overground, and that one tube line that’s always on fire). They also decide on things like nightlife and clean air zones.

Fun fact: The Mayor can also veto planning decisions. So if someone wants to build a 90-story banana-shaped skyscraper, the Mayor can say “no, thank you.”

They also get a special ceremonial chain. It looks like a gold dog collar. Seriously, it’s called the Mayoral Chain.

The Quirky Bits That Make This Fun

London is the only UK city where you directly elect the Mayor. The rest of the country? They get to watch from the sidelines and be jealous of our drama.

The voting system is supplementary voting. You pick a first AND second choice. If no one gets 50% on the first round, your second choice matters. It’s like a dating app for politicians.

In 2016, a candidate named “Count Binface” ran on a platform of changing the London Underground’s name to “the Abba Line.” He got real votes. Real human votes.

In 2021, a man dressed as a giant chicken also ran. His policies were “free grain for all” and “more pecking space.” He came last. But he ran.

Who’s Running This Time?

The big names are already flexing. Sadiq Khan (the current guy) is running for a third term. He’s Labour. He drives a hybrid car and once said he “loves a good pasty.”

His main challenger is Susan Hall from the Conservatives. She drives a car with a “Made in London” sticker on it. She also owns a tiny dog named Treacle.

There are also candidates from the Liberal Democrats, Greens, and probably at least three people named “Mr. Bean.” If history is any guide, one candidate will claim to be a talking tree.

Why You Should Care (Even If You Hate Politics)

Because this election decides if your rent goes up. It decides if the buses run on time. It decides if you can legally set off fireworks at 3 AM.

Also, the winner gets a free house. It’s called the Olde Town Hall in Kingston. It has a wine cellar. I’m not joking.

The Mayor also gets a chauffeur-driven car. It’s a Jaguar I-PACE. Electric, because London’s Mayor has to be environmentally woke.

How to Actually Vote (The Simple Bits)

You need to be registered. If you’re not, visit gov.uk/register-to-vote. Do it now. Right now. Stop reading and do it.

You can vote in person at a polling station. You’ll get a little pencil. It will be attached to a string. You’ll feel like a child again.

Or you can vote by post. This is for people who like envelopes and stamps. It’s like sending a letter to your future self, asking for less traffic.

If you’re an EU citizen living in London? Yes, you can vote. London is fancy like that.

The Countdown to Chaos

The election date is 4 May 2024. That’s a Thursday. The results come out on Friday. You’ll be at work, pretending to care about spreadsheets, while secretly refreshing Twitter.

The votes are counted at City Hall (the wobbly glass building near Tower Bridge). It looks like an onion. A very expensive onion.

If the result is close, there will be recounts. And coffee. And journalists crying because they haven’t slept. It’s beautiful chaos.

What If You Miss It?

Don’t. Because if you miss this one, you have to wait until 2028. That’s four years. That’s enough time for London to get a new underground line (unlikely) or for someone to propose a moat around the city (possible).

Also, the next winner gets to run the city for four years. That means they decide the entire 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028 New Year’s Eve fireworks. So choose wisely.

The Weirdest Thing You’ll Read Today

The Mayor of London used to have a pet fish. It lived in the Mayor’s office at City Hall. It was named Boris, after the previous mayor. The fish died in 2019. True story.

Also, the Mayor’s official salary is £151,648. That’s a lot of pasties. But they also get a £20,000 expense account for “entertaining.” So if you see the Mayor buying you a drink, say thank you.

And remember: the loser gets a free trip to the nearest pub to drown their sorrows. That’s not official policy, but it’s what always happens.

How to Turn This Into a Party

Host an election night viewing party. Get some bunting. Make a bingo card with phrases like “Uber congestion charge” and “cycle lane consultation.” Serve Jaffa Cakes.

Guess the winner. If you get it wrong, you have to do a walk of shame to the nearest Greggs. If you get it right, you get bragging rights until 2028.

And if all else fails, just watch the candidates’ debates. They’re like a TED Talk, but with more shouting about bus routes. It’s peak entertainment.

So, set your alarm. Charge your phone. And remember: on 4 May 2024, London will choose its next boss. Make sure you’re there to say you saw the chaos unfold. Because trust me, it’s going to be a ride.