Conservative hopes of a shock victory in the London mayoral elections have been boosted by apparent rumours Susan Hall could defeat Sadiq Khan thanks to low turnout. Brexiteer David C Bannerman has taken to social media to report rumours Ms Hall has won, saying the prospect of a Tory triumph would be “wonderful” but not thanks to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The former MEP wrote on X: “Rumours emerging that Susan Hall has won London Mayoral on low turnout. We won’t know until Saturday evening.
“Wonderful if true, but let’s be clear: not to do with Sunak who did next to nothing for her and she was given minimum CCHQ support. The Sunakites wanted (Daniel) Korski. Would be down to Susan Hall – her tenacity, true Conservative principles and decency, if true. Don’t be fooled by Sunak’s claims.”
Mr Korski entered the race to be the Tories’ candidate for London mayor but was forced out amid allegations which he denies.
Labour’s candidate for mayor of London appeared to acknowledge the risk on polling day, tweeting on Thursday that turnout was looking low for the key London mayoral race and warning it meant the Tories’ chance of winning had “skyrocketed”.
In another tweet posted less than two hours before the polls closed, Mr Khan said: “LONDON: time is running out. Low numbers of people voting means there is a real risk the Tory candidate could win.
“Here’s what’s on the line: Free school meals cancelled; TfL fares to rise; London’s air made toxic again”.
Reports of rumours of a Tory triumph in the capital would upset polling which has consistently put Mr Khan ahead of Ms Hall. A poll published on Wednesday (May 1) by Savanta gave him a 10-point advantage after his lead narrowed over the campaign.
Counting in the London mayoral election is due to start at 10am on Saturday (May 4) after the ballots have been verified.
A total of 11 mayoral contests are taking place this week, with Conservative Ben Houchen re-elected as mayor of the Tees Valley region, albeit with a much-reduced majority over Labour.
Lord Houchen secured almost 82,000 votes compared to the 63,000 votes received by Labour’s Chris McEwan, winning a third term as mayor.
Overall, Mr Sunak’s Conservative Party has taken a beating, suffering heavy losses as an array of local election results poured in on Friday, piling pressure on the Prime Minister ahead of a general election.
Labour easily won back Blackpool South which turned blue in the 2019 general election, when then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson scored a massive victory.
In the by-election contest, triggered by the resignation of a Conservative MP amid a lobbying scandal, Labour’s Chris Webb secured 10,825 votes, to his second-placed Conservative opponent’s 3,218.
Results will continue to roll in on Saturday, with Mr Sunak hoping he can point to successes to douse talk the Conservative Party will oust its leader again before the next general election.
