LONDON:Two new candidates have emerged in the fast-growing group of contenders for this year’s London mayoral election. Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate Amy Gallagher and independent Shyam Batra have both said they want to unseat Labour mayor Sadiq Khan in the fight for City Hall in May. A total of 12 candidates have now declared that they will be running for the job, which Mr Khan is seeking to hold for a historic third term.
Ms Gallagher is a nurse, while Mr Batra is a finance and property broker . Ms Gallagher has expressed her concerns about the city’s living conditions, lack of community, division, increases in crime, and unreliable public transport. She believes that politicians have let people down and they never get the change they were promised. She rose to some prominence after it was reported in 2022 that she was suing the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, alleging discrimination on the basis of race, religion, and philosophical belief, as well as victimization and harassment.
The SDP traces its origins to the party of the same name formed in 1981 by four Labour moderates who were disaffected by the left-wing direction of opposition leader Michael Foot. The current SDP was formed in 1990 by members who had been opposed to the original SDP’s 1988 merger with the Liberal party, which had resulted in the formation of the Liberal Democrats. The party today describes itself as “patriotic, economically left-leaning, and culturally traditional”. In 2021’s mayoral election, SDP candidate Steve Kelleher achieved 0.3 per cent of first preference votes.
Independent candidate Mr Batra has pledged if elected to abolish the Ultra low emission zone (Ulez) as well as the congestion zone and 20mph speed limits. He wants to “fix London and give people a voice”
Shyam Batra, an independent candidate for the London mayoral election, has pledged to abolish the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez), congestion zone, and 20mph speed limits if elected. He believes that “the city is broken” and wants to “fix London and give people a voice”. He has also expressed his concerns about the cost-of-living crisis and temporary housing issues. Mr. Batra has proposed a finance scheme to help people get on the property ladder. He has stated that he knows what the general public thinks and wants because he is one of them.
The election will be held on May 2, along with elections to the London Assembly. A total of 12 candidates have declared so far, including Shyam Batra, Rob Blackie, Natalie Campbell, Howard Cox, Zoë Garbett, Amy Gallagher, George Galloway, Tarun Ghulati, Susan Hall, Rayhan Haque, Sadiq Khan, and Andreas Michli. More candidates could be declared over the coming weeks as nominations for the election remain open until March 27.
