Who Is Running For Mayor Of London 2028

So, you want to know who’s running for Mayor of London in 2028? Buckle up, because it’s shaping up to be more dramatic than a Spurs penalty shootout. We’re still a year out from the big vote, but the rumour mill is already working overtime. Grab a cuppa, and let's dive into the gossip.

The Incumbent: Sadiq Khan (Labour)

First up, the man currently in the big chair, Sadiq Khan. He’s running for a fourth term, which is basically the political equivalent of ordering a fourth round of chips at the pub – ambitious but possibly pushing your luck.

Khan’s camp is betting on his record: the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), free school meals, and a whole lot of cycle lanes. Opponents call it a "war on drivers," but Sadiq will argue it’s a war on pollution and potholes.

Fun fact: If he wins, he’ll be the longest-serving Labour mayor in history. His campaign slogan will likely be something like "Keeping London Moving," which is basically code for "Please don’t blame me for the Tube strikes."

The Conservative Challenger: Who’s It Gonna Be?

Now, this is where it gets fun. The Tories are currently doing their classic “let’s set fire to our own tent for entertainment” routine. Last time it was Susan Hall, a former council leader with a big personality and a bigger love for fox hunting jokes (which went down like a lead balloon).

For 2028, whispers point to a few names. Andrew Boff, a seasoned London Assembly member, is always lurking. He’s a libertarian-leaning Conservative who rides a motorbike and enjoys a good scrap on Twitter.

Then there’s Paul Scully, the former minister for London. He’s a softer, more suburban Tory who once said he’d "smash" the drugs gangs. Problem is, the Conservative brand in London is about as popular as a wet Monday in Zone 1. Their main pitch will be “Sadiq is too focused on the inner city,” but they’ll need a candidate who can actually crack a joke without offending a pigeon.

The Wildcard: The Liberal Democrats

The Lib Dems are the political equivalent of the friend who shows up to the party with a weird board game. They rarely win, but they always have the best ideas about potholes.

Their rumoured candidate is Rob Blackie, a tech entrepreneur and former party strategist. He’s genuinely funny, pro-bike, and wants to make London a "15-minute city" (don’t worry, it’s not a conspiracy, it just means you can get a pint within walking distance).

Realistically, the Lib Dems will target second place in central London and hope to siphon votes from both Labour and the Greens. Their campaign will be full of words like "evidence-based" and "consensus," which is lovely but rarely wins elections.

The Green Party: Don’t Count Them Out

The Greens are having a moment. They’ve already got Zack Polanski, a climate activist and former TV presenter, who’s charismatic and deeply worried about the ozone layer.

Polanski will campaign on making the ULEZ even stricter (yes, that’s possible) and turning every roundabout into a wildflower meadow. His big challenge is shaking the "sandals and tofu" stereotype, but with young Londoners feeling the heat (literally), he could pull a shock result.

Bold prediction: The Greens will finish third, which will give them a massive ego boost and a lot of airtime on Newsnight. They’ll be happy, even if they don’t win City Hall.

The Independent Heroes & Quirky Characters

Ah, the independents. They’re the people who make London mayoral races weirdly entertaining. In 2024, we had Count Binface (a literal bin who wore a cape) and Laurence Fox (who, uh, didn't).

For 2028, keep an eye on Nikesh Arora, a former Google executive who might run as a "tech-forward" centrist. He’ll promise to fix the Tube with an app and deliver your Amazon packages via drone. Expect lots of phrases like "disruption" and "synergy."

And of course, Count Binface might return. His policies include making the London Eye free for the visually impaired and renaming the Thames to "The Big Wet." You can’t make this stuff up, and honestly, you don’t need to.

The X-Factor: The Super-Fans

Every election has a candidate who’s just a regular Londoner with a manifesto written on a napkin. This year, we’re expecting Paddy O'Leary, a pub landlord from Camden who wants to legalise 24-hour karaoke and rename the congestion charge the "fun tax."

He won’t win, but he’ll get a surprising 1.7% of the vote and become a minor internet celebrity. I’m already rooting for him.

The Big Issues That Will Shape the Race

Forget the personalities for a second. The real battle is over three things: Housing (London rent is now basically a second mortgage), Crime (nobody wants to be stabbed on their way to get a croissant), and Transport (the Northern line is hotter than a vindaloo in July).

Sadiq will point to 3,000 new police officers, but his opponents will say "Yeah, but where are they when my bike gets stolen?" The winner will be the person who can promise a cheaper pint of milk and a train that arrives on time without sounding like a robot.

The Upshot: What to Watch For

The election is in May 2028, so we’ve got a full year of manifestos, gaffes, and embarrassing photo ops ahead. The key will be voter turnout. Young people skew Green or Labour, but older voters (who actually show up) lean Tory or Lib Dem.

If you’re planning to vote, do it for the love of London, not just to spite your annoying neighbour who bikes to work at 5am. And remember, every vote counts – especially if you want to keep Count Binface in the race.

A Final, Uplifting Chat

Here’s the good news: No matter who wins, London is still the most spectacularly bonkers, magnificent, and resilient city on earth. The mayor doesn’t control the weather, the Tube, or the price of avocado toast, but they do set the tone.

Whether it’s Sadiq’s quiet competence, a Green’s eco-revolution, or a bin-headed comedian’s absurdist rule, the next mayor will inherit a city that’s messy, loud, and utterly brilliant. So keep laughing, keep voting, and if you see a man in a bin cape on the campaign trail, give him a wave.

London 2028: It’s going to be a ride. And I, for one, am here for it. 🚇🎉