The Mayor of London is an important role, representing the city and setting its budget.
They’re also responsible for making the capital a better place to live: providing affordable housing, helping businesses succeed, sorting out TfL (Transport For London), and ensuring opportunities for young people.
Not everything they must decide is popular, as the latest ULEZ expansion and backlash might prove for sitting Mayor, Sadiq Khan.
The expansion has angered some Londoners, who from August will have to pay £12.50 a day to drive in all London boroughs if their car is not Ulez compliant, in the midst of the cost of living crisis.
But how often does the Mayor of London get put to a vote, and will Sadiq Khan be running in the next election?
When is the next London mayoral election?
The last London mayoral election took place on May 6, 2021.
Twenty candidates from across the political spectrum threw their hat in the ring, in attempt to unseat Labour‘s Sadiq Khan – however he was ultimately voted in to a second term in office.
Typically, the Mayor of London serves a four-year term.
But in May 2024, Londoners will head to the polls again to vote for the next mayor, after the current serves a three-year term.
This is because the May 2021 election was actually due to take place in 2020.
It was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the 2024 vote will put the election cycle back on track.
The 2024 date was confirmed in March 2020 by the UK Parliament website.
Will Sadiq Khan be running in the next mayoral election?
Labour Party incumbent Sadiq Khan has already confirmed he will be running for re-election to a third term in office.
There are no limitations on how long a Mayor can serve – however, a third term would be unprecedented.
Mr Khan announced he was planning to run again in Decemebr 2022, stating that there was ‘still so much more to do’.
However, he admitted that the election will be a ‘tough’ one with the planned Ulez expansion set to be a major battle ground.
So far, only two other candidates have been announced: the Green Party’s Zoë Garbett and Howard Cox, of the Reform Party.
Mr Cox is the co-founder of Fair Fuel UK, a group which campaigns to reduce charges on petrol and diesel vehicles, so he is likely to be targeting those who are against the Ulez expansion.
A Conservative candidate has not yet been announced, however, Paul Scully has delcared his intention to run, stating that he would get rid of Ulez ‘one day one’.
MORE : Are disabled vehicles exempt from ULEZ?
MORE : Driver says criminals copied her number plate to avoid Ulez charges
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