Sadiq Khan campaigns in East Acton on Friday (26 April)

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has visited East Acton to speak to voters ahead of Thursday’s mayoral election (2 May).

The Labour Mayor, who’s seeking his third term in the role, first addressed a large group of Party activists on Friday evening on Erconwald Street, telling gathered campaigners that “the choice is clear: a Tory candidate who doesn’t share London’s values, or my plans for a fairer, safer and greener city for all Londoners.”

Khan was flanked by Rupa Huq MP, the Ealing Central and Acton MP whose seat will include the ward of College Park and Old Oak after the next general election following boundary changes, as well as Cllr James Small-Edwards, Labour’s candidate for the marginal West Central Greater London Assembly seat, and Andy Slaughter, MP for Hammersmith.

Small-Edwards is aiming to become Labour’s first GLA member for the constituency, which is currently represented by Tony Devenish, and covers the combined area of the City of Westminster, the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is the most marginal GLA seat in London.

Rupa and Small-Edwards each delivered speeches, stressing the need to defeat what Huq described as the “divisive, Trumpian” style of politics represented by Cllr Susan Hall AM, the Conservative mayoral candidate. Huq added that now the position of Mayor is elected by first-past-the-post, it’s “more important than ever that we remind people there’s only one man who can stop the Tory candidate, and that’s Sadiq Khan”.

After pictures were taken, campaigners divided into groups and knocked on doors to speak to voters and listen to their concerns ahead of Thursday’s London-wide election. Khan took selfies with voters along the way, despite being heckled by one passer-by.

Rupa Huq MP said, “I was delighted to join Sadiq, James, Andy and a veritable army of Labour activists tonight to help the Mayor win another four more years at City Hall.

“Throughout his time as London Mayor, Sadiq has delivered for the people of Ealing, Acton, Chiswick and Hammersmith, including: free school meals, a TfL fares freeze, record numbers of new council homes, action on the climate crisis, record investment to tackle crime and the causes of crime, and work to unite our communities.

“By contrast, the hard-right Conservative candidate is out of step with Londoners: she doesn’t know the cost of a bus fare and has called for the nearby Notting Hill carnival to be moved because it’s ‘dangerous’. Londoners deserve better, which is why I’m supporting Sadiq, James Small-Edwards and Bassam Mahfouz [Ealing and Hillingdon GLA candidate] ahead of the elections on Thursday.”

London Mayor Sadiq Khan poses for selfies with Rupa Huq MP, councillors and activists

The London Mayor was spotted visiting Sabiib Somali restaurant on Acton High Street. He later tweeted, “Wonderful to see one of London’s newest restaurants buzzing and busy! London is a global city and diverse businesses like this make a huge contribution to our city – economically, culturally and socially.”

Bora Kwon, London Assembly candidate and councillor for College Park and Old Oak said after the event, “It was fantastic to have Sadiq visit the Old Oak Estate where he got a warm welcome from the residents eager to meet and speak with him.”

For a full list of candidates taking part in the Mayoral elections on Thursday, click here London Elects.

The Mayor visits Sabiib Somali restaurant in Acton for refreshments on the campaign trail