Sadiq Khan: London Mayoral Election 2020

Sadiq Khan: London Mayoral Election 2020

Despite what happened in the rest of the country and in the Labour Party in particular, I don't think there is a natural challenger that could unseat Sadiq Khan as London Mayor. 

Whoever aspires to defeat Sadiq Khan will have to have enough political weight to have any chance of winning against a London Mayor that built his own political profile regardless of the troubles of the Labour Party led by Jeremy Corbyn.

Regardless of his stances on Brexit and his statements on foreign affairs i.e. his war of words with President Donald Trump, I reckon Sadiq Khan could even benefit from his stances and statements because London is a completely different cup of tea when compared to the rest of the United Kingdom.
Who are the other contenders? Well, Shaun Bailey will be standing as Conservative Party Mayoral Candidate. The Liberal Democrats have Siobhan Benita who previously stood in 2012 as Independent. Siän Berry will stand for the Green Party. Sue Black will stand for the Women's Equality Party, Rosalind Readhead would be standing as Independent, and Rory Stewart, former Conservative MP would be standing as Independent Candidate.

Despite the fact that opinion polls indicate that Sadiq Kahn went from 62% down to 44%  (December 2018 until November 2019), none of the contenders seem to have the charisma and the experience Sadiq Khan has. So unless there is a last minute change with a bigger hat being thrown into the ring I reckon the Sadiq Khan's mandate will be extended for another four years. 

Greens and Labour will be fighting for predominance in the London Assembly. As it was stated in a husting in London before the 2019 General Election, the Green Party is a serious challenger and would do well on the London Wide List. The credibility of the Lib Dems was seriusly damaged with the loss of many MPs - including those who defected from the Labour Party and the Conservative Party and their leader Jo Swinson but they could do well enough to get Siobhan Benita elected as London Assembly Member if they play their cards right.

With regards to UKIP and Brexit Party and other political contenders, they were routed or not even stood in December 2019. Therefore, I believe that they wouldn't stand a chance. They would lose not just the election but also all their deposits.

Britain: Of Fidel Castro, Salvador Allende and Jeremy Corbyn

Britain: Of Fidel Castro, Salvador Allende and Jeremy Corbyn

Jeremy Corbyn has publicly stated that he wants a General Election because he believes that the embattled Labour Party under his leadership has a clear opportunity to take over the reins of Britain and Conservatives like Philip Hammond, Dominic Grieve and Rory Stewart are more than willing to destroy a Conservative government and open the way for a government led by Jeremy Corbyn.

Will the European Union openly support such possibility in spite of the obvious ideological differences and geopolitical repercussions? We are talking about major issues that include Britain's relationship with Iran, Saudi Arabia, Israel and, fundamentally, Britain's relationship with the USA and NATO.

And what about the unity of the United Kingdom? Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell openly supported the IRA and the unification of Ireland. The latter has been criticised for having in his constituency office images about the 'martyrs of the IRA'. 

Under Tony Blair, there was talk about nationalisation but it was just talk. Under a Labour government led by Jeremy Corbyn with John McDonnell as Chancellor of the Exchequer, talk will become certainty.

Getting Brexit right, given the threats posed by a Labour government led by Jeremy Corbyn, becomes much more of a priority. The newly elected Lib Dem Leader did well to distance herself from a potential alliance with the present Labour Party. There is always the Law of unintended consequences. If the Remain Camp seeks to destroy a Conservative government, the Remain Camp will unleash forces that they will not be able to control

Rory Stewart publicly declares that he would usher the destruction of the Conservative Party

Rory Stewart publicly declares that he would usher the destruction of the Conservative Party

Rory Stewart

Rory Stewart, like Philip Hammond, is the voice of surrender to the European Union and he has publicly stated - like Philip Hammond - that he is willing to destroy the Conservative Party in the process if he doesn't get things his way.

Philip Hammond

Rory Stewart stated unequivocally to destroy Boris Johnson, the man that represents real Brexit and he is without a shadow of a doubt the spearhead of the Remainers in the Conservative Party.

Rory Stewart will be voicing the fears spread by some in the Labour Party, in the Lib Dem Party and in other political organisations including the Conservative Party that led to the downfall of Theresa May. Next week, we will see a regrouping of contenders in the leadership contest and both camps in the Conservative Party will be struggling for control. Remainers will be plotting against Boris Johnson that they see as the embodiment of Leave.

In the meantime, the Brexit Party that came second in the Peterborough By-Election effectively relegated the Conservative Party in the local elections and in the European Parliament Elections is now sending a clear message to the Conservative Party: "Get Brexit done or face political catastrophe." The Conservative Party of 1997 lost the election mainly because of internal divisions. The Conservative Party lost the local elections and the European Parliament Elections of 2019 and was relegated to third place in Peterborough. In this context, Rory Stewart could be seen as a political suicide not just for Rory Stewart but a political suicide for the Conservative Party if people like Rory Stewart get their way.

Emmanuel Macron's threats are playing into the hands of those who want to breakaway with a deal or without a deal. Treating Britain like a province of the EU or even a province of France, Macron - much more than other EU mandarins - is weakening the Remain camp factions that cannot even agree with each other as the Remain camp becomes ever more fragmented.