London is gearing up for the mayoral elections, which will take place on May 2nd. Six million residents of the capital with diverse political views will have to make a fateful decision that will determine the city’s trajectory for the next four years.

This year, the electorate will vote under a new voting system —“first past the post” (FPTP), or “relative majority system,” already used in general elections. Unlike previous elections, where voters could rank candidates in order of preference (1, 2, 3, etc.), this time each voter has only one vote. Thus, a mayoral candidate only needs to receive more votes than each of their opponents individually to win.

In total, 13 candidates representing various political parties and ideologies plan to participate in the elections. Here are the most notable ones:

Sadiq Khan (Labour Party) — the current Mayor of London is running for a third term and aims to strengthen his position after being elected in 2016. Khan’s campaign focuses on promises to address the housing crisis and improve the environment in London. He plans to build 40,000 new municipal homes and achieve zero emissions by the end of the decade. Khan’s administration supports initiatives such as the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), created to combat air pollution, which has faced serious criticism from both politicians and citizens.

Susan Hall (Conservative Party) — a member of the London Assembly and former council leader, is vying to become London’s first female mayor. In her pre-election platform, Hall emphasizes reducing crime levels, abolishing the ULEZ, and supporting households and environmental initiatives. However, her campaign is overshadowed by past scandals, including her support for Islamophobic rhetoric on Twitter and admitting incompetence in London’s transport tariffs.

Rob Blackie (Liberal Democrats) — a campaigner against Brexit and a digital marketing specialist. Blackie focuses on tackling crime and improving police work. His pre-election campaign is built on criticising opponents and the current government. Blackie points out that during Sadiq Khan’s 8 years as Mayor of London, violent crime in London increased by 30%, while the number of solved sexual crimes halved. As for the Conservative candidate Susan Hall, according to Blackie, it’s even simpler: she’s “unbearable.”

Zoe Garbett (Green Party) — a member of the Dalston and Hackney council, advocates for freezing rent for two years and considers “environmental sustainability” a primary factor in the city’s development. Garbett aims to leverage the growing influence of the Green Party, positioning herself as a viable alternative to candidates from traditional parties.

Howard Cox (Reform UK, formerly known as Brexit Party until 2020) — founder of the Fair Fuel UK campaign. Cox’s platform also includes promises to repeal the ULEZ and low traffic neighbourhoods, as well as to defend the interests of motorists and small businesses. He positions himself as a fighter for the interests of those affected by government policies and occasionally states that there is “no climate crisis.”

Amy Gallagher (Social Democratic Party) — an NHS nurse and psychotherapist, participates in the race challenging what she considers excessive spending on the so-called “woke ideology” by the current mayor. Gallagher prioritises social cohesion and aims to address issues such as crime and the reliability of public transport by reducing expenditure on “diversity” and inclusivity policies.

Count Binface (independent candidate) — a perennial candidate “with a dustbin lid for a head,” Count Binface returns to the mayoral race with a platform that combines politics and satire. While his proposals may seem unconventional (such as capping croissant prices and renaming London landmarks), Count Binface undoubtedly adds a touch of absurdity to yet another political spectacle.

In addition to the listed candidates, several others offer their vision for the future of London: from a member of the Animal Welfare Party to an investment banker, from an immigrant hater to a fitness club owner. So, the residents of the capital have plenty to choose from. The only difficulty is deciding which candidate to trust, but each voter will probably have to look within themselves and consult their intuition.

Voting will take place on May 2nd, and the results will be announced on May 4th. One of the most influential cities on the planet is gearing up to choose its course for the next four years under new leadership.