Sadiq Khan gains backing of Neil Kinnock to be Labour’s candidate for Mayor of London
Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock has pledged his support to Sadiq Khan to become the Labour candidate for London mayor.
Writing for the Mirror, Kinnock said: “Labour must recapture City Hall, and our best chance of doing that is with Sadiq Khan as our candidate for London mayor in 2016.”
Read more: Meet London mayor hopeful and Labour MP Diane Abbott: Can the left wing regain City Hall?
Khan, who grew up on a council estate and is the son of immigrants, gained success from hard work and talent and realises challenges ahead, Kinnock said. “He is truly equipped to be our mayor.”
London's housing crisis, transport costs and congestion, pollution, poverty and insecurity will only get worse without effective action from the Mayor.
That’s why we need Sadiq’s experience, deep understanding, radicalism, creativity, and determination to look forward and outward for answers, instead of looking back.
Kinnock’s support comes the day after a Survation poll showed Sadiq Khan could beat Conservative favourite Zac Goldsmith by taking 50 per cent of the first round votes.
Under voting rules, a candidate needs only 50.01 per cent of first round votes to win the contest.
The Labour party will allow all Labour supporters in London to vote for who will be the final candidate. The Conservative party will hold an online primary to select its candidate, whereby anyone in London on the electoral roll can register to vote for who they want to be the candidate.
MP for Richmond Park Zac Goldsmith is still bookmakers’ favourite to become the next Mayor of London, with Tessa Jowell behind and Sadiq Khan following in third.