Rishi Sunak has admitted he did not vote for Conservative mayoral candidate Susan Hall in the London mayoral elections, instead using a postal vote for his constituency in York and North Yorkshire.
Hall was defeated in the mayoral elections, with Sadiq Khan securing a historic third tirm as London mayor.
A source told the Independent the Prime Minister used a postal vote for the contest in York and North Yorkshire.
Labour’s David Skaith won the newly created mayoralty against the Conservative Pary's Keane Duncan.
A source told the Independent the Prime Minister used a postal vote for the contest in York and North Yorkshire
PA
Khan was re-elected as London mayor today for a historic third term.
The Labour incumbent secured just over 1,088,000 votes, a majority of some 275,000.
The result means he has won with an increased majority, having beaten Shaun Bailey by 4.7 per cent in the first round and 10.4 per cent in the second round in 2021.
Earlier today, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he was confident Khan could win a third term as the Labour mayor of London.
Speaking to reporters in Mansfield, he said: “Sadiq Khan was absolutely the right candidate. He has got two terms of delivery behind him and I am confident that he has got another term of delivery in front of him.
“But look, if you look across the country, I am standing here in Mansfield in the East Midlands where we have won a significant victory in the mayoralty here, but that is the pattern across the country.
“We have been winning in Blackpool in a by-election with a 26 per cent swing, we have won in York and North Yorkshire, true blue Tory territory, and here in the East Midlands where there are very many constituencies that matter hugely in that general election.
“All of this is done with a purpose. I want a Labour Government to serve our country.
“This is effectively the last stop on the journey to the general election and I am really pleased to be able to show we are making progress, we have earned the trust and confidence of voters and we are making progress towards that general election.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Earlier today, the odds were slashed for a Sadiq Khan defeat after low turnout figures in key London Labour strongholds increased speculation that the race could be closer than expected.
Before polls opened, Susan Hall was more than ten points behind the incumbent London Mayor.
Yesterday morning, Khan's odds were at 1/25, according to Betfair. But this morning, he was down to 1/10.
While Susan Hall, whose odds were 19/1 yesterday morning, was at 7/1 today.
Turnout on Thursday's election was down in all seven constituencies which saw the Labour mayor poll more first preference votes than his Tory rival Shaun Bailey in 2021.