Westminster City Councillor Laila Cunningham has been announced by the Reform UK as the party’s candidate for the London mayoral election in 2028.
The party leader, Nigel Farage and Cunningham featured together at a news conference with banners which reads: “London needs Reform.”
The councillor, who left the Conservative Party last year, criticised the Labour Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, stating that she intended to deliver a “different message” to residents of the city.
“There will be a new sheriff in town, and I’ll be launching an all-out war on crime,” she said.
Cunningham told the news conference that her priorities for the Metropolitan Police would be “tackling knife crime, drugs, robbery, shoplifting, rape”.
She revealed plans for the London police saying she would give “new marching orders” to the Met to “tackle crime that matters” and also remove the ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) if elected to lead London.
With Londoners not scheduled to vote for the next mayor until 2028, Farage said Cunningham would also serve as the party’s lead figure in the campaign for the local elections set for May.
Read also the related story on New Daily Prime: Nigel Farage’s Reform UK becomes Britain’s largest party ahead general election
The Reform leader labelled the move as the “single most significant” electoral test ahead of the next general election.
Labour responded by stating that Reform UK was “offering the capital nothing but division and decline,” adding that “London represents everything Reform UK opposes: multiculturalism, openness and confidence in our shared future.”
The spokesman said: “Cunningham has made a habit of talking London down, repeatedly portraying our city as broken while opposing the multiculturalism that makes it the best city in the world.”
A source close to London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said he was focusing on “delivering a fairer, safer, and greener city for all Londoners.”
Also, Liberal Democrat London spokesperson, Luke Taylor MP, in his view said: “From its history, to its culture, to its people, London is the greatest city in the world, but all Reform seems to do is talk it down.
“The Liberal Democrats will stand up for the millions of Londoners who love this city and its values and ensure London is a better place for everyone.”
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