### Laila Cunningham: From Conservative Councillor to Reform UK's Mayoral Hopeful - Laila Cunningham, a former Conservative councillor, has been announced as Reform UK's candidate for the 2028 London mayoral elections. She has gained prominence within the party since her defection from the Tories and is now positioned as a key figure in challenging the current mayor, Sadiq Khan, who has held the position since 2016. Cunningham's background includes a career as a lawyer with the Crown Prosecution Service, and she is the first local councillor for Reform UK in London. Her candidacy is part of a broader strategy by the party to increase its influence in London, a city known for its diversity and progressive politics, which may pose challenges for her campaign given the party's anti-immigration stance [https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/who-reform-uks-laila-cunningham-tory-councillor-nigel-farages-pick-2028-london-mayor-1769383][https://www.easterneye.biz/reform-uk-names-laila-cunningham-as-london-mayoral-candidate]. ### Structure of Laila Cunningham's Candidacy 1. **Background and Defection**: - Laila Cunningham was elected as a Conservative councillor in Westminster in 2022 but defected to Reform UK in 2025, citing a need for a stronger voice against crime and safety issues in London [https://24newshd.tv/07-jan-2026/reform-uk-picks-muslim-ex-lawyer-laila-cunningham-run-london-mayor]. 2. **Campaign Focus**: - Cunningham has emphasized her commitment to addressing crime in London, claiming the city is "no longer safe," particularly for women. She has criticized Sadiq Khan's policies and aims to present herself as a "new sheriff in town" [https://uk.news.yahoo.com/laila-cunningham-unveiled-reforms-candidate-112006227.html][https://uk.news.yahoo.com/farage-launches-attack-sadiq-khan-123005023.html]. 3. **Party Strategy**: - Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, is positioning Cunningham as the face of its campaign for the upcoming local elections in May 2026, with hopes of gaining traction in a city that has traditionally leaned towards Labour [https://www.cityam.com/reform-announces-laila-cunningham-will-run-for-london-mayor]. 4. **Public Reception**: - Initial reactions from the public and media suggest a mix of skepticism and support, with some viewing her as a strong candidate capable of challenging Khan's long-standing leadership [https://uk.news.yahoo.com/great-candidate-views-reform-uk-185343797.html]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Cunningham's Background**: - Former lawyer with the Crown Prosecution Service. - Elected as a Conservative councillor in Westminster in 2022. - Defected to Reform UK in 2025, becoming the party's first local councillor in London [https://24newshd.tv/07-jan-2026/reform-uk-picks-muslim-ex-lawyer-laila-cunningham-run-london-mayor]. - **Campaign Priorities**: - Focus on crime reduction and public safety. - Critique of current mayor Sadiq Khan's policies, particularly regarding safety and immigration [https://uk.news.yahoo.com/laila-cunningham-unveiled-reforms-candidate-112006227.html]. - **Public Sentiment**: - Mixed reactions from the public, with some expressing optimism about her candidacy [https://uk.news.yahoo.com/great-candidate-views-reform-uk-185343797.html]. ### Conclusion: Laila Cunningham's Path Forward - **Cunningham's candidacy represents a significant shift in London's political landscape**, as she aims to challenge the incumbent mayor Sadiq Khan on issues of safety and governance. - **Key Points**: 1. Cunningham's defection from the Conservatives to Reform UK marks a strategic move to leverage her background and public safety concerns. 2. Her campaign will focus on crime and safety, positioning her as a direct challenger to Khan's policies. 3. The public's response will be crucial as she navigates the complexities of campaigning in a diverse and traditionally Labour-leaning city. Cunningham's journey as a candidate will be closely watched as she attempts to reshape the narrative around safety and governance in London [https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/who-reform-uks-laila-cunningham-tory-councillor-nigel-farages-pick-2028-london-mayor-1769383][https://www.easterneye.biz/reform-uk-names-laila-cunningham-as-london-mayoral-candidate].