A petition demanding voting rights in London’s mayoral election for all UK residents has sparked nationwide debate, having now surpassed 41,800 signatures.
Campaign Calls for Nationwide Say on Capital’s Leadership
The petition, hosted on the official Parliament petitions platform, argues that London’s global influence makes its leadership a matter of national interest, not just for those living within the Greater London boundary.
London belongs to us all,” the petition reads. “We believe all UK residents should be able to vote for the Mayor of London, who manages one of the world’s most influential cities.”
At 10,000 signatures, the government is required to respond. At 100,000, the issue may be debated in Parliament.
Context: Why This Matters
The move follows Sadiq Khan’s recent re-election for a third term on 2 May 2024, where he defeated Conservative Susan Hall by more than 276,000 votes — winning nine of 14 constituencies.
With a turnout of 42.8%, over 2.4 million votes were cast. Mayor Khan described his victory as “the honour of my life,” adding: “It’s not about making history. It’s about shaping the future.”
The petition questions the local-only voting eligibility, arguing that since London acts as the economic, political and cultural heart of the UK, leadership decisions affect residents nationwide.
Who Can Vote for the London Mayor?
Currently, voting is restricted to residents of Greater London who are:
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Aged 18 or older
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Registered to vote
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British, Irish, qualifying Commonwealth citizens, or eligible EU nationals
The Mayor is elected using first-past-the-post, while the London Assembly uses a mixed-member system with 25 members (14 constituency, 11 London-wide).
Reactions and Debate
Online reaction has been divided.
One supporter on X wrote:
“If London affects us all, why shouldn’t we all have a say?”
But critics argue this undermines local democracy, with another user posting:
“Let Manchester vote for the Mayor of London? What’s next—Scotland deciding Leeds council elections?”
Political commentators suggest the petition touches a nerve over London’s dominance in UK affairs, with some seeing it as a proxy debate over regional equality.
