I’m Planning to Run for Mayor of London, but Only If One Thing I’m Hoping for Happens- David Lammy Reveals
Former Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy is reportedly thinking about running to become Mayor of London in 2028 if Sadiq Khan decides not to stand for a fourth term.
According to Labour sources, Lammy believes he could have a good opportunity to enter the race if Khan steps aside. He is said to think Labour’s position in London has improved as support for Zack Polanski’s Green Party has weakened.
Khan has said he will make a decision next year about whether he wants to stand again in the 2028 London mayoral election. He has been Mayor of London since 2016 and has already won three elections, in 2016, 2021 and 2024.
Speaking about his future, Khan said he still has plenty of energy and ideas for London. If he wins another election in 2028 and completes the full term, he would have spent around 16 years as mayor.
Khan’s time in office has divided opinion. His supporters praise his efforts to improve London’s air quality, support families on lower incomes and improve public transport. However, critics have attacked some of his policies affecting motorists and have also raised concerns about knife crime, policing and Transport for London’s finances.
Lammy, who was born in London and represents Tottenham in Parliament, has previously shown interest in becoming London Mayor.
In 2014, he became the first Labour MP to officially announce that he wanted to run in the mayoral contest. At the time, he said he wanted to represent people across the whole of London.
During that campaign, Lammy spoke about some of the biggest financial pressures facing Londoners. He argued that affordable housing costs should be connected to average earnings in individual boroughs.
He also supported putting limits on private rents and suggested introducing higher council tax bands for some of London’s largest and most expensive properties.
Lammy later went on to hold senior positions in government. According to the report, he was removed from the Cabinet after Andy Burnham became Prime Minister.
Lammy has also faced criticism during his political career. Conservatives previously used the nickname “Calamity Lammy” while criticising his record as Justice Secretary, particularly following cases involving prisoners being accidentally released.
Earlier in his career, Lammy led a major review into the treatment of ethnic minorities in Britain’s criminal justice system. Published in 2017, the review highlighted differences in the proportion of black people represented in prisons and youth custody compared with their share of the general population.
Labour sources now claim Lammy is seriously considering another attempt to become London Mayor. One minister was quoted as saying that Lammy is planning to go for the position and believes the political situation could give him an opportunity.
However, much still depends on Khan’s decision. If Khan chooses to seek a fourth term, the situation could look very different. If he decides to step down, it could open the way for Lammy and potentially other Labour politicians to compete for the party’s nomination ahead of the 2028 election.
