Sadiq Khan has been handed a boost in his fight to secure a historic third term as London Mayor, with early results from the mayoral count suggesting there has been a swing from the Tories to Labour.
The Merton and Wandsworth constitency saw a 5.1 per cent swing to Labour, with the incumbent taking 48.3 per cent of the vote. The Conservatives Susan Hall took 28.6 per cent.
In Greenwich and Lewisham, there was a 4.5 per cent swing. Khan recieved 46.5 per cent of the vote share, while Hall took 26.2 per cent.
Earlier today, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he remains confident Khan can win a third term as the Labour mayor of London.
Speaking to reporters in Mansfield, he said: “Sadiq Khan was absolutely the right candidate. He has got two terms of delivery behind him and I am confident that he has got another term of delivery in front of him.
“But look, if you look across the country, I am standing here in Mansfield in the East Midlands where we have won a significant victory in the mayoralty here, but that is the pattern across the country.
“We have been winning in Blackpool in a by-election with a 26 per cent swing, we have won in York and North Yorkshire, true blue Tory territory, and here in the East Midlands where there are very many constituencies that matter hugely in that general election.
“All of this is done with a purpose. I want a Labour Government to serve our country.
“This is effectively the last stop on the journey to the general election and I am really pleased to be able to show we are making progress, we have earned the trust and confidence of voters and we are making progress towards that general election.”
