When Is The Next Mayoral Election In London

So, you want to know when London gets to pick its next big boss. The Mayor. The one who decides on buses, the Tube, and that weird cycle lane you swerved around yesterday. I get it. You’re probably wondering if you need to mark your calendar or just hide under a duvet until it’s over. Let’s cut through the noise, shall we?

The Short (And Surprisingly Simple) Answer

The next Mayoral Election in London is Thursday, 2 May 2024. Yes, that’s right – it’s coming up fast. Like, “oh-crumbs-I-haven’t-registered-to-vote” fast.

Mark it in your phone right now. Do it. I’ll wait. Finished? Good. You’re already more organised than half of London.

But wait – there’s a catch. A very London-y catch. The election is only for the next term. The current mayor, Sadiq Khan, has been in the job since 2016. If he wins, he’ll be the first London mayor to serve three terms. That’s a big deal, or a yawn, depending on your politics.

But Hold On – Isn’t There Another Election Soon?

You might be thinking, “Didn’t we just do this?” And you’d be half-right. In 2021, we had a weird, delayed election because of the pandemic. So the usual four-year gap got a bit squished. Think of it as a musical chairs game where the music stopped early.

So yes, it’s 2024. But only three years after the last one. Confusing? A little. But hey, it’s democracy. It’s not supposed to be easy. It’s supposed to keep us on our toes.

And no, Boris Johnson is not running again. I know, I know – you had to check. He’s busy elsewhere. Very busy. Wink.

What Actually Happens On The Day?

On 2 May 2024, you’ll trudge to your local polling station. Probably in the rain. You’ll get a ballot paper the size of a small tablecloth. You’ll see two boxes to tick: one for Mayor, one for the London Assembly. Don’t skip the Assembly one – those people decide on things like policing and housing. They matter, even if they sound boring.

London Mayoral Election 2025 – Sadiq Khan London Mayor – AGDOB

You’ll vote using the Supplementary Vote system. It’s like a weird dating app: you pick your first choice, then your second choice. If nobody gets over 50% in round one, the top two go head-to-head, and your second choice gets a look-in. Clever? Or just confusing? You decide.

Who’s Actually Running? (The Big Names)

The biggies are Sadiq Khan (Labour – current mayor, trying for third term) and Susan Hall (Conservative – council leader, loud on crime). Then there’s a whole circus of others: the Greens, the Lib Dems, the Reclaim Party, and about a dozen independents. Some of them are very serious. Some of them have a Twitter account and a dream.

You’ll also see a candidate from the London Real Party, and maybe a guy who wants to legalise squirrel ownership. Look, it’s London. The fringe candidates are part of the charm.

Why Should You Care?

Because the Mayor controls your travel, your rent, and your air. Literally. They set Tube fares, approve new skyscrapers, and manage the Ultra Low Emission Zone (that ULEZ thing that costs you £12.50 if you drive a dinosaur).

Also, the Mayor decides how much police you get on the streets. And whether those new cycle lanes are a green paradise or a traffic nightmare. So yeah, it matters. Even if you roll your eyes.

London Mayoral Election 2024: Sadiq Khan wins historic third term as

How To Not Mess It Up

Register to vote. You need to do this by 16 April 2024. Go to gov.uk/register-to-vote. It takes five minutes. Less time than arguing about ULEZ on Twitter.

If you’re away on 2 May, you can vote by post or by proxy (let a mate vote for you). But be careful – if you vote by post, you can’t then pop into the polling station on a whim. It’s like ordering delivery and then showing up at the restaurant. Awkward.

The Real Question: Will It Be Close?

Probably not. London is very Labour-leaning. Sadiq Khan won 55% of the vote in 2021. The Conservatives have been losing ground for years. But don’t count Susan Hall out yet. She’s campaigning hard on crime and road charges. And some people are properly angry about ULEZ.

Still, a Tory win would be a shock. Like, “Boris becomes mayor again” shock. Not happening. Probably.

Final Nudge (You’re Welcome)

So, 2 May 2024. It’s not a fantasy. It’s real. And it’s coming. Do your homework. Laugh at the leaflets. Cast your vote. Then complain about the result with your mates over a flat white. That’s the London way.

And hey, if you forget? Don’t worry – you’ll get another chance in 2028. But by then, we’ll all be riding hoverboards or something. Or still stuck on the Northern line. Who knows.