The London mayoral election is set to take place on Thursday, May 6, after a year's delay.
The emergency Coronavirus Act 2020 postponed local elections across England, meaning the current mayor Sadiq Khan served an additional 12 months.
Labour candidate Khan is currently running for re-election, with a strong lead in the polls of 63 per cent in the second round of polls, compared with his Conservative opposition Shaun Bailey, who currently sits at 37 per cent.
This year there are a record-breaking 20 candidates standing in the London mayoral election, with six million people registered to vote. Here's everything you need to know about the election ahead of polling day.
When is the 2021 London mayoral election?
The election will take place on Thursday, May 6. Polls open at 7am and close at 10pm.
Who are the candidates?
A total of 20 candidates are standing in the election, with the Labour candidate Khan leading the polls and with his closest rival Bailey trailing behind for the Conservatives.
Sadiq Khan
Labour’s candidate was elected Mayor of London in 2016 and is running for his second term in office. He was formerly the MP for Tooting and a human rights lawyer. The 50-year-old also served as a minister in Gordon Brown’s government, being the first Muslim to attend Cabinet meetings.
Key policies
Khan's re-election campaign has taken employment as its focus, announcing his intention to promote tourism and investment in the country's capital.
Specifically, Khan has pledged to help more than 300,000 Londoners who lost their jobs during the pandemic re-enter the workforce.
His invigoration of the London economy would see a £5m investment dedicated to attracting Londoners and UK tourists alike into London's West End.
He will also seek to boost practical support on offer to individuals and business owners by maximising City Hall expenditure and simplifying the means of accessing support for small businesses.
Commenting on his bid for re-election, Khan described the election as a "two-horse race" between himself and his Conservative opposition, the result of which would signify "how we choose to respond in the aftermath of an historic crisis".
Shaun Bailey
The Conservative's mayoral candidate has been a member of the London Assembly since 2016, and served as a special advisor to David Cameron during his term as prime minister on youth and crime in 2012.
Key policies
Shaun Bailey's campaign platform has taken a firm stance on knife crime, which has fallen drastically during lockdown.
Bailey has unveiled plans to increase police patrols and boost stop-and-search to cut crime in his "first 100 days" if elected.
Additionally, Bailey announced his intentions to "roll out scan-and-search technology" or metal-detecting "knife wands" in knife crime hotspots. Knife wands are currently on offer in secondary schools following a push from Khan, and similar technology has been trialled by the Conservatives in train stations and a tube station pilot test.
Earlier this year, Bailey pledged to recruit an additional 8,000 Met Police officers and hire 4,000 youth workers to "tackle the root causes of crime". These goals are part of his plan to "put pressure on criminals rather than communities".
Beyond tackling crime, Bailey's campaign promises include a plan to build 100,000 shared ownership homes to be sold for £100,000.
Laurence Fox
The Inspector Lewis actor is currently standing for the Reclaim party, an endeavour Fox launched in late 2020 with £5m supposedly donated by supporters. With the election now just weeks away, Nigel Farage and the Reform party have pledged their support for the actor. A Westminster source called the new Reclaim party "a Ukip for culture" which the Conservative Party "should be frightened about".
Key policies
Fox has been a vocal critic of the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Fox has previously been criticised for publicly stating that he would refuse to get the vaccine until 2023 over safety concerns, as well as coming under fire for hosting a party launch event with no coronavirus regulations in place.
In his bid for mayor, Fox has pledged to "unlock" London from continuing lockdown, stating in an open letter to Londoners his intention to "reclaim your freedom to move" and "freedom to work". This is part of Fox's goal to reinvigorate the London economy after a year of stagnation.
Fox has also committed to cracking down on crime by adopting a "tough New York approach", reintroducing stop-and-search, and by ending the Met's "obsession with diversity and inclusivity". On his aims, Fox stated: "I want the Met to become a police force again, not a police service."
Fox also intends to scrap Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and "underused" cycle lanes.
Count Binface
Formerly known as Lord Buckethead, the candidate previously stood against Theresa May in the 2017 general election, and Margaret Thatcher in 1987. Count Binface is currently neck-and-neck with Laurence Fox in last place.
Key policies
Count Binface entered the race with a bold campaign conspicuously devoid of policy on crime or the economy.
The Count's manifesto instead hints at a rebrand of London infrastructure, with London Bridge to be renamed Phoebe Waller (after the Fleabag creator), and the hand dryer in an Uxbridge pub toilets to be relocated to a more sensible position.
Binface does, however, make oblique reference to the pandemic. Under his leadership, mask-wearing would be encouraged indefinitely, and outspoken anti-vaxxer Piers Corbyn would be banished to the Phantom Zone.
Perhaps his most ambitious policy, Count Binface also aims to have London join the EU.
Other candidates in the running are:
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Kam Balayev, Renew
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Sian Berry, Green Party
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Valerie Brown, The Burning Pink Party
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Piers Corbyn, Let London Live
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Max Fosh, Independent
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Peter Gammons, UKIP
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Richard Hewison, Rejoin EU
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Vanessa Hudson, Animal Welfare Party - People, Animals, Environment
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Steven Kelleher, Social Democratic Party
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David Kurten, Heritage Party
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Farah London, Independent
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Nims Obunge, Independent
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Niko Omilana, Independent
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Luisa Porritt, Liberal Democrats
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Mandu Reid, Vote Women's Equality Party on orange
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Brian Rose, London Real Party
Will Sadiq Khan win a second term?
As of April 29, Khan is currently leading polls, with 63 per cent to Bailey's 37 per cent in the second round of polls, according to recent Politico survey data.
How can I vote for the next London mayor?
You can vote in person at your local polling station on May 6, or if you can't attend on the day, by post or by proxy (nominating someone to vote on your behalf).
The deadline to register to vote in person closed on April 19, while the deadline to register for a postal vote closed on April 20.
If you want to vote in person, you can't just turn up to any polling station - you have to go to the one you're assigned to.
Your polling card, which you will have received through the post, is the easiest way to find out where you are registered to vote. It will include the name and address of your designated polling station.
If you've not received your polling card but you know you have registered, give your local council a call to check. You can find the contact details by using the postcode finder tool on the About My Vote website.
If you wanted to vote by proxy, the deadline was April 27, although emergency proxy votes will be available up until 5pm on election day if voters need to self-isolate due to Covid-19.
When will the results be announced?
Vote counting will begin at 7am on Friday, May 7. The process is expected to take longer due to coronavirus precautions, and a final result is not anticipated until the afternoon of Saturday, May 8, at the earliest.
