London Mayor Sadiq Khan cast his vote in the London Mayoral election amidst a backdrop of significant losses for the Conservative Party in council elections across the country. With the Conservatives losing more than 400 councillors and control of 10 councils, the party is facing its worst performance in 40 years, according to election expert Sir John Curtice.
Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, had a rough start to the day with losses in Yorkshire and North Yorkshire, where Labour mayor David Skaith was elected. However, there was a small victory for the Conservatives as Lord Ben Houchen was re-elected on Teesside.
The focus now shifts to the mayoral contests in London and the West Midlands, where a win for Tory Andy Street could potentially thwart a leadership plot from rebel MPs. The results so far show Labour gaining control of eight councils and a net gain of 204 seats, while the Liberal Democrats gained 92 seats and the Greens 58.
As Londoners await the outcome of the mayoral election, tensions are high with fears of low turnout and controversy surrounding Sadiq Khan’s motoring policy and Labour’s stance on Gaza. A Tory Westminster insider close to Susan Hall’s campaign has hinted at a potential upset, claiming that Susan Hall may have won the London Mayor contest.
Overall, the local elections have been seen as a triumph for Labour leader Keir Starmer’s embrace of Blairism, driving the party from failure to success in the center ground. The Conservatives, on the other hand, are facing significant losses with polling experts predicting a loss of around 500 council seats. Additionally, the rise of Reform UK as a potential threat to the Tories has added to the challenges faced by the party in these elections.