'I'm excited about the chance to work with Keir Starmer': Sadiq Khan on why he wants to win election

Sadiq Khan is preparing to fight for a third term as mayor of London, with just months left before the mayoral election.

The mayor warned in a recent interview with the i that May's election is "too close to call", citing new voter ID laws and voting system adding “it’s likely to be the closest contest we’ve ever seen".

Despite this, recent polls suggest that the Labour mayor is on course for a record victory this May as he enjoys a healthy lead.

According to a YouGov poll conducted for Queen Mary University of London in October, Mayor Khan is a full 25 points ahead of his Conservative rival Susan Hall, by 50% to 25%.

Zoe Garbett, the green candidate took 11% of the votes while Rob Blackie for the Liberal Democrats took 7%. Reform UK’s Howard Cox was 4%, with 3% for other candidates.

Mr Khan leads in both inner London (by 62% to Hall’s 19%) and outer London (by 41% to 29%).

Speaking to LondonWorld the mayor said he was excited about the prospect of working with a Labour government with a general election also set to take place this year.

“When I think that we’ve done all that with a Conservative government. I can imagine the possibility of working with a Labour government that’s pro London,” the mayor told LondonWorld.

“In the 24 years of mayoralty there’s only been one four year period with a Labour mayor and Labour prime minister.

“During those four years we won the Olympics, secured Crossrail funding, completed 8,000 council homes in one year so I’m really excited about the chance to work with Keir Starmer and a Labour government as I think we can do so much more for our great city.”

He added: “When I think of all we’ve achieved in the last eight years despite the government. Freezing fares, for the first time ever providing free school meals for all primary school children, investing in record sums in council housing with more started than any time since the 1970s, providing mentors for young people.”

Only three people have served as mayor of London since the role was created at the turn of the millennium: Ken Livingstone (2000-2008), Boris Johnson (2008-2016) and Sadiq Khan (2016 to present).

This year’s mayoral election will be the first time the election uses the first-past-the-post system, replacing the previous 'supplementary vote'.

Mr Khan is not complacent about his chances in May. Speaking to the i, he said: “Liberal values are under threat this year in a way that they haven’t been for decades. This year will be a year of decision – it is entirely possible we could see Donald Trump in the White House, Suella Braverman in Number 10, and Susan Hall in City Hall.”

The mayoral election will be held on May 2 2024 and it will be the seventh time Londoners have gone to the polls to elect a mayor.

Here is the full list of candidates hoping to be the next mayor of London.