Angela Rayner backs 'Mr London' Sadiq Khan for fourth term as Mayor in race gathering pace

In an interview with The Standard, she hailed him as “Mr London” who was putting the capital on the “world map”.

Lord Sadiq Khan, Angela Rayner and then Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on a housing visit

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Ms Rayner’s warm words came as the next mayoral contest, due to take place in 2028, was already starting to take shape.

Amid the uncertainty, it is emerging that a number of Labour MPs may seek the party’s nomination if he decides to call it a day after three terms in City Hall.

However, other Labour figures seen as possible challengers to be the party’s candidate include Tottenham MP David Lammy, Tooting MP Rosena Allin-Khan, as well as Steve Reed, MP for Streatham and Croydon North.

Labour MPs (clockwise) Dawn Butler, Rosena Allin-Khan, Steve Reed and David Lammy

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Asked if she would like to see Lord Khan stand for another term, Ms Rayner said: “I love working with Sadiq Khan. Every time you speak to him, he is Mr London.

“You know he goes around championing what a vibrant, multicultural, amazing city that London is, and you can see that he tackles the challenges we face.

“Like rough sleeping, he's a real partner with me on that to make sure that every Londoner feels valued, and I'm really pleased to be working with him.”

Pressed whether this was support for a fourth term, she added: "If he wants it, I'm absolutely 100% behind Sadiq.

“He's been a tremendous Mayor for London, and you can see that whether it's crime going down, the investment in all parts of London. You can really see the vibrancy of our city, and you know it's world renowned for how brilliant it is.

“You see the events that come to London all the time. He's really puts us on the world map for all the right reasons.”

Lord Sadiq Khan with Angela Rayner

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He accused the Mayor of “giving up on London”, adding: “It feels like he's lost the fire for the job.”

The Conservatives have narrowed down to four their shortlist for the party’s mayoral candidate.

They are Sir James, Sara Gezdari who came second in Richmond Park at the 2024 general election, former police and crime commissioner Festus Akinbusoye, and businessman Alex Challoner.

Tory mayoral hopefuls Festus Akinbusoye Sara Gezdari, Alex Challoner and Sir James Cleverly

Conservative Party

The list is set to be trimmed down to two or three candidates by early November to be put to party members in London.