Tory pleasure as rumours swirl Sadiq Khan may undergo defeat | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Conservative hopes of a shock victory within the London mayoral elections have been boosted by obvious rumours Susan Hall may defeat Sadiq Khan due to low turnout. Brexiteer David C Bannerman has taken to social media to report rumours Ms Hall has gained, saying the prospect of a Tory triumph could be “wonderful” however not due 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, however let’s be clear: to not do with Sunak who did subsequent to nothing for her and she or he was given minimal CCHQ assist. The Sunakites wished (Daniel) Korski. Would be right down to Susan Hall – her tenacity, true Conservative ideas 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 operating out. Low numbers of individuals voting means there’s a actual danger the Tory candidate may 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 within the capital would upset polling which has persistently put Mr Khan forward of Ms Hall. A ballot printed on Wednesday (May 1) by Savanta gave him a 10-point benefit after his lead narrowed over the marketing campaign.

Counting within the London mayoral election is because of begin at 10am on Saturday (May 4) after the ballots have been verified.

A complete of 11 mayoral contests are going down this week, with Conservative Ben Houchen re-elected as mayor of the Tees Valley area, albeit with a much-reduced majority over Labour.

Lord Houchen secured nearly 82,000 votes in comparison with the 63,000 votes acquired by Labour’s Chris McEwan, successful a 3rd time period as mayor.

Overall, Mr Sunak’s Conservative Party has taken a beating, struggling heavy losses as an array of native election outcomes poured in on Friday, piling strain on the Prime Minister forward of a basic election.

Labour simply gained again Blackpool South which turned blue within the 2019 basic election, when then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson scored a large 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 proceed to roll in on Saturday, with Mr Sunak hoping he can level to successes to douse speak the Conservative Party will oust its chief once more earlier than the subsequent basic election.