Sadiq Khan becomes first politician to win third term as Mayor of London

Sadiq Khan today became the first politician to be elected Mayor of London for a third term. He trounced his Tory counterpart, receiving more than one million votes, compared to rival Susan Hall's 811,000.

The Labour representative has won praise for introducing free school meals for all primary school pupils in London, but has faced controversy for his expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

The ULEZ imposes a charge on the most polluting vehicles being driven within specified areas, and last August was extended throughout Greater London, now covering all 33 boroughs.

The Mirror reports the Conservatives have faced criticism over the decision to put up Ms Hall as their candidate. The former Harrow Council leader supported Donald Trump and expressed "deep joy" at Liz Truss’ mini-Budget.

Campaigners raised concerns about her suitability to be mayor after footage emerged of her suggesting the Black community has "problems with crime".

It also emerged she had liked a social media post picturing Enoch Powell with the ­caption, "It's never too late to get London back!". Nobody has previously been elected for a third term as London Mayor.

Ken Livingstone was beaten by Boris Johnson when he tried in 2008, while Mr Johnson decided to return to Westminster instead. The election was expected to be tougher for Mr Khan this time because it was held with a different voting system.

For the first time, it was decided by First Past The Post in the same way as parliamentary elections. Previously voters got to cast a first and second preference vote.

This meant that supporters of parties such as the Greens and Lib Dems could back their own candidate in the first round and then give their vote to Mr Khan in a second round. The result comes after the Tories have faced a difficult couple of days.

The Tories lost over 450 council seats across England, while Labour won inaugural mayoral contests in York and North Yorkshire, the East Midlands and the North East.

Sir Keir Starmer's party also gained nine police and crime commissioner posts from the Tories, including in Cumbria, Avon and Somerset, and Norfolk.

Labour also took a Tory scalp by winning the Blackpool South by-election. But the Conservative Ben Houchen managed to survive as Tees Valley Mayor despite a swing to Labour.

In a newspaper article on Saturday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak claimed the Conservatives have "everything to fight for" ahead of the general election.

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