Reform UK's candidate for the 2028 London Mayoral election has pledged that her policy platform will be "written by Londoners, for Londoners", as she launches a two-year tour of the capital to understand residents' priorities.
A Listening Tour to Shape Policies
Laila Cunningham, unveiled as the party's challenger by leader Nigel Farage on Wednesday 7 January 2026, stated she will spend the next two years traversing London's boroughs, council estates, and high streets. Her goal is to directly understand what citizens want from their Mayor before formulating a detailed manifesto.
"My manifesto won't be written by me, it will be written by Londoners, for Londoners," Ms Cunningham declared in an exclusive interview. She criticised the current Mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan, claiming Londoners "have been ignored" for a decade on issues like public safety and the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
Positioning the 2028 Race and Addressing Criticism
Positioning the May 2028 contest as a two-horse race between Reform UK and Labour, the Westminster councillor argued that politicians must earn votes rather than expect "blind loyalty". Ms Cunningham, who defected from the Conservatives to Reform UK last year, admitted she has no direct experience in City Hall but insisted that is "not a bar" to seeking the top job.
However, she faces criticism from her former party. Paul Swaddle, leader of the Westminster City Conservatives, accused her of becoming "disengaged" with her councillor role, often missing meetings or arriving late before her defection. A Reform UK spokesperson dismissed these claims as a "targeted smear campaign".
Reform's Foothold and Policy Directions
While Reform UK's previous 2024 mayoral candidate, Howard Cox, secured only 3.2% of the vote, the party now has two London Assembly Members—Alex Wilson and former Tory Keith Prince—who can directly question the Mayor. Ms Cunningham said she will work closely with them to hold Sir Sadiq Khan to account.
Though light on specific policy detail, she indicated she would take on rail unions to prevent strikes, end the "war on motorists," and ensure social housing is prioritised for British nationals. She also vowed to move away from "identity politics," stating: "We are all Londoners... That's the London I wanna go back to."
In response to the challenge, Sir Sadiq Khan, who is seeking an unprecedented fourth term, appeared dismissive, referencing the numerous candidates who typically stand. A recent Savanta poll placed Reform UK second in London on 19%, though still 12 points behind Labour, setting the stage for a contentious campaign ahead of the 2028 election.
