Reform London mayor candidate accused of talking down capital with ‘pity’ remark
Guardian1 day
UK: Reform Names Laila Cunningham for 2028 London Mayor Race
Is London a victim of racist scaremongering, or does it face a genuine crime crisis under Khan's leadership?
Above: Reform UK's Laila Cunningham at Glazier's Hall Southwark, south London, having been announced as Reform's candidate for London Mayor in 2028. Image credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA Images/Getty Images
The Spin
Labour Party narrative
Khan has reduced violent crime by half, cut robberies 60% and slashed knife assault hospitalizations nearly 50% since 2000. Cunningham peddles demonstrably false narratives about London being uniformly unsafe, weaponizes her identity to legitimize divisive rhetoric and lacks basic policy competence — admitting she hasn't reviewed her own platform's costs.
Reform Party narrative
Cunningham represents a genuine challenge to Khan's failed leadership on crime and safety after nine years of soft policing and divisive identity politics. Her zero-tolerance approach and promise to fire the Met Commissioner directly addresses Londoners' legitimate fears about walking their own streets while Khan delegates responsibility to liberal activists.
Metaculus Prediction
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© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.18.0