Blow for Sadiq Khan as new poll reveals what Londoners really think of him

The majority of Londoners say Sir Sadiq Khan should not run in the next mayoral election, new polling shows. The YouGov survey found some 56% said he should step down ahead of the contest in May 2028 in a blow to the Labour incumbent.

Almost half - 48% - view the London Mayor unfavourably, compared to 39% who have a positive opinion on him. It gives him a net popularity score of minus 9.

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Some 47% said Sir Sadiq is doing badly in City Hall, while 42% said he was doing well.

Those in outer London boroughs tend to think he is performing worse, while those in inner boroughs think he is better.

And 55% said the capital is a worse place to live than it was 10 years ago, compared to 18% who said it has stayed about the same and 19% who said it has improved.

Sir Sadiq's strongest policy area is transport where 48% said he has handled the issue well.

Just 31% said he has been strong on crime, while 57% said he had handled the area badly.

And only 17% said he has dealt with the issue of housing well, while 66% said badly.

The polling comes after Sir Sadiq marked 10 years as London Mayor in May.

He won a historic third term in the role in May 2024 despite months of fury over the expansion of London's ultra low emission zone.

YouGov polled 1,141 adults in London from July 29 to August 5.

The London Mayor has been contacted for comment.