Sadiq Khan Biography, Political Career and Record as London Mayor

Sadiq Khan is the Labour politician who became the first Muslim mayor of London and the first person to win three consecutive terms in the role. Re-elected in May 2024, he has led the capital since 2016, overseeing major changes to transport, air pollution policy, housing initiatives and the city’s approach to public safety. His time in office has also brought political disputes over the cost of living, crime, road charging and the limits of mayoral power.

Born in London to a family of Pakistani heritage, Khan built his career through law and local government before entering Parliament. His rise to City Hall made him one of the most prominent political figures in the UK, with influence extending beyond the capital.

As mayor, Khan’s responsibilities include transport strategy, policing oversight, housing and planning, environmental policy and London’s economic development. His record is mixed in the sense that some policies have delivered measurable changes, while others remain contested or depend on cooperation with the national government and London’s borough councils.

His third term gives him an opportunity to build on his earlier programmes, but it also leaves him accountable for persistent problems affecting Londoners, particularly housing affordability, public safety and pressure on household finances.

Who is Sadiq Khan?

Political profile

Full name: Sir Sadiq Aman Khan

Born: 8 October 1970

Birthplace: Tooting, south London, England

Political party: Labour Party

Profession: Solicitor and politician

Mayor of London since: 2016

Current term: Third term, beginning in 2024

Sadiq Khan was born on 8 October 1970 in Tooting, south London. His family has Pakistani roots, and his upbringing in a working-class household became an important part of his public account of his life and political outlook.

Before entering politics, Khan trained and worked as a solicitor, specialising in human rights and other legal matters. He subsequently became involved in local government and was elected as the Labour MP for Tooting in 2005.

His career progressed through Parliament and government before he successfully contested the London mayoralty in 2016. Khan was knighted in the 2025 New Year Honours for political and public service.

His background has often featured in discussions about representation in British politics. However, his political significance rests not only on his personal story but also on the decisions he has taken as mayor and the debate surrounding their consequences.

Early life, education and legal career

Khan grew up in Tooting as one of eight children in a family whose father worked as a bus driver and whose mother worked as a seamstress. His upbringing in south London helped shape his understanding of the challenges facing families dependent on wages and public services.

He attended local schools before studying law at the University of North London, now part of London Metropolitan University. He went on to qualify as a solicitor and developed a legal career that included work involving human rights.

This experience gave him a professional background outside party politics. His legal work also provided a route into public debate on civil liberties, policing and the relationship between individuals and the state.

Khan entered local politics through the Labour Party and served as a councillor in the London Borough of Wandsworth. Local government exposed him to the practical pressures facing councils, including public services, neighbourhood issues and the competing demands on limited budgets.

In 2005, he was elected MP for Tooting, beginning a decade in the House of Commons before his move to City Hall.

From Labour MP to government minister

Khan represented Tooting in Parliament from 2005 until 2016. During this period, he established himself within the Labour Party and held ministerial positions under Gordon Brown.

His government responsibilities included roles linked to communities, transport and justice. In 2009, he became transport minister, giving him experience in a policy area that would later become central to his mayoralty.

He subsequently served as shadow justice secretary and shadow lord chancellor under Labour leader Ed Miliband. These positions placed him among the party’s senior figures and broadened his experience of national policy.

In 2015, Khan won the Labour nomination to contest the London mayoral election. He faced Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith in the 2016 contest, campaigning on housing, transport, living costs and the need to make London more accessible to residents from different backgrounds.

Khan won the election in May 2016 and became the first Muslim to hold the office. His victory also marked a transition from representing a single parliamentary constituency to leading a city of millions of residents with different political priorities.

Sadiq Khan’s first two terms as mayor

Khan took office in May 2016, succeeding Conservative mayor Boris Johnson. His first two terms focused on transport, environmental measures, housing and improving access to services across the capital.

One of his most significant policies was the expansion of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). The scheme requires vehicles that do not meet specified emissions standards to pay a daily charge when driven within the zone, subject to applicable exemptions and discounts.

Initially introduced in central London in 2019, the scheme expanded to inner London in 2021 and across all London boroughs in August 2023. The wider expansion was intended to reduce harmful emissions from road traffic and improve air quality.

The policy became one of Khan’s most contentious decisions. Supporters argued that reducing pollution was necessary to protect public health, while opponents raised concerns about the financial burden on drivers, tradespeople and households dependent on older vehicles.

Transport for London (TfL) has published monitoring reports assessing the effects of the expansion. These reports provide evidence for evaluating changes in emissions and vehicle compliance, although wider air-quality trends cannot be attributed to one policy alone.

Khan also oversaw the introduction of the Hopper fare, allowing passengers to make unlimited bus and tram journeys within an hour of starting their first journey, subject to the scheme’s conditions. The Night Tube and the Elizabeth line also became important parts of London’s transport network during his mayoralty, although the Elizabeth line was delivered through a wider project involving national government, TfL and other partners.

Housing remained another central priority. Khan has sought to increase the supply of affordable homes through planning policies, funding programmes and partnerships with housing providers. However, London’s high rents and property prices have continued to make housing a major concern for residents.

Third term begins after 2024 election victory

Khan secured a third term in the mayoral election on 2 May 2024, becoming the first person to win three consecutive terms as London’s mayor.

According to the House of Commons Library, he received 1,088,225 votes, representing about 44% of the total. Conservative candidate Susan Hall finished second with 812,397 votes, or approximately 33%. Turnout was 40.5%.

The result gave Khan another four years to pursue his priorities, but it did not remove the political disagreements surrounding his record. His policies continue to face scrutiny from opposition politicians, business groups, motorists and residents who question their costs or effectiveness.

The election also took place under a changed voting system. The mayoral contest used first-past-the-post, under which the candidate with the most votes wins, rather than the supplementary vote system used in earlier elections. This change matters when comparing results across different elections because voters no longer have a second-preference vote counted under the previous system.

Khan’s third term has included a stronger emphasis on household affordability, children’s welfare, transport and the capital’s economic competitiveness. The challenge is to show that citywide programmes can produce lasting benefits while addressing the problems that remain unresolved.

Free school meals and the cost of living

One of Khan’s most prominent social policies has been the provision of free school meals for children attending state-funded primary schools in London.

City Hall introduced the programme in the 2023-24 academic year, initially committing £130 million to provide meals for pupils who were not already covered by existing government-funded provision. The scheme was designed to help families facing rising living costs and ensure that children could receive a school lunch regardless of their household income.

The programme was subsequently extended. City Hall reported that more than 43 million meals were funded during its first year, with up to 287,000 children benefiting. The mayor has committed to continuing the universal offer for state-funded primary school pupils while he remains in office.

For families, the practical benefit is a reduction in the cost of school lunches. The scheme also avoids some of the stigma that can accompany means-tested support, where eligibility depends on household circumstances.

However, the policy requires substantial public funding and cooperation between City Hall, borough councils and schools. Its longer-term value depends not only on the number of meals provided but also on whether it supports children’s wellbeing and eases financial pressure on families.

The programme illustrates how Khan has used the mayoralty to address social issues that extend beyond transport and planning. It also demonstrates the limits of the office: the mayor can direct resources towards specific priorities, but he cannot independently determine national welfare policy or control all the financial pressures facing London households.

Crime, policing and public safety

Public safety has remained a major issue throughout Khan’s time in office. The mayor oversees the Metropolitan Police Service through the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime, while the police retain operational responsibility for investigations and day-to-day enforcement.

Khan has repeatedly argued that London needs sufficient resources to tackle crime and protect residents. His priorities include violence reduction, public confidence in policing and making the city safer for women and girls.

The role is politically sensitive because responsibility is shared. The Home Office controls important elements of national policing policy and funding, while the Metropolitan Police Commissioner is responsible for operational decisions. The mayor can set strategic priorities and hold the force to account, but cannot personally direct every investigation.

Debates about crime therefore require careful consideration of recorded offences, public confidence, police resources and the experiences of victims. Political claims about whether London is becoming safer or more dangerous need to be assessed against comparable official data rather than isolated incidents.

Khan’s record in this area remains an important test of his leadership. Residents judge public safety not only by citywide statistics but also by whether they feel secure on public transport, in their neighbourhoods and when travelling at night.

The Palantir dispute and public accountability

A significant controversy in 2026 concerned the proposed use of artificial intelligence in Metropolitan Police investigations.

In May, Khan intervened in a procurement decision involving Palantir, the US technology company, and a proposed two-year contract worth £50 million for a system intended to help process police intelligence. Palantir subsequently launched legal action against the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC).

The dispute ended in October 2026, when both sides withdrew their claims before a planned High Court trial. A joint statement said the procurement decision was based on legal and financial considerations, including governance, affordability and value for money, rather than Palantir’s ethics or political associations. No damages were paid, and neither side admitted liability. A new procurement process was under way, with Palantir eligible to bid without any guarantee of winning the contract.

The episode raised broader questions about how public authorities should assess technology suppliers, particularly when their products may be used in policing and other sensitive areas. It also demonstrated the legal limits on political discretion when public bodies award contracts.

For Khan, the dispute illustrated the tension between the values a mayor promotes publicly and the formal rules that govern public spending. The agreement resolved the immediate legal confrontation, but the procurement process remained a separate matter.

What powers does the Mayor of London have?

The mayoralty is influential, but it is not equivalent to running every public service in London.

The Greater London Authority (GLA) provides strategic leadership for the capital. The mayor sets budgets and policies across areas including transport, housing, planning, the environment, economic development and policing. The 25-member London Assembly scrutinises the mayor’s decisions and examines how public money is spent.

Transport for London operates much of the capital’s public transport network, including the Underground, buses and many major roads. The mayor has substantial influence over TfL, but its finances and services are affected by passenger revenue, operating costs, government funding and wider economic conditions.

Housing is another area where responsibility is divided. Khan can influence planning through the London Plan, establish affordable housing programmes and work with developers and borough councils. However, local authorities, housing associations, private landlords and central government all have roles in determining the homes available and their costs.

The mayor’s influence over policing is similarly strategic rather than operational. He oversees the Metropolitan Police through MOPAC, but the force’s leadership remains responsible for operational decisions.

These distinctions matter when assessing Khan’s performance. Policies should be judged against the powers available to City Hall, the funding provided and the results that can reasonably be attributed to its decisions.

Sadiq Khan’s political legacy

Khan’s career reflects significant changes in British political representation. His election in 2016 was an important milestone for Muslim politicians in the UK, while his subsequent victories established him as one of Labour’s most electorally successful figures in London.

His achievements include introducing major transport and environmental policies and funding free school meals for state primary school pupils; his administration has also faced sustained criticism over ULEZ, housing affordability and public safety.

In the 2025 New Year Honours, Khan received a knighthood in recognition of his public and political service. The official citation noted his three mayoral election victories and his previous work as an MP and government minister.

His legacy will depend on more than election victories or the introduction of individual programmes. The longer-term questions concern whether London becomes more affordable, whether air quality continues to improve, whether residents feel safer and whether public transport remains reliable and financially sustainable.

As his third term progresses, Khan faces the task of balancing ambitious citywide policies with the everyday concerns of London’s residents. His political influence is substantial, but the results of his decisions will ultimately be judged by their practical effects on the people who live and work in the capital.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sadiq Khan

1. How old is Sadiq Khan?

Sadiq Khan was born on 8 October 1970 in Tooting, south London. He is 56 years old as of October 2026.

2. Who is Sadiq Khan’s wife?

Sadiq Khan is married to Saadiya Ahmed. The couple married in 1994 and have two daughters.

3. Does Sadiq Khan have children?

Yes. Sadiq Khan and his wife have two daughters. He generally keeps his family’s private life out of the political spotlight.

4. What is Sadiq Khan’s religion?

Sadiq Khan is Muslim. His election as Mayor of London in 2016 made him the first Muslim to hold the office.

5. What is Sadiq Khan’s ethnicity?

Sadiq Khan is of Pakistani heritage. He was born and raised in London, and his parents emigrated to the UK from Pakistan.

6. What political party does Sadiq Khan belong to?

Sadiq Khan belongs to the Labour Party. Before becoming mayor, he represented Tooting as a Labour MP from 2005 to 2016 and held ministerial and opposition roles.

7. When did Sadiq Khan become Mayor of London?

Sadiq Khan became Mayor of London in May 2016 after defeating Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith. He won re-election in 2021 and 2024, becoming the first person to secure three consecutive terms.

8. What is Sadiq Khan’s salary?

The Mayor of London’s salary is determined through the Greater London Authority’s arrangements. Figures reported in recent years have placed Khan’s annual salary at around £170,000, although the precise current rate should be checked against the latest official pay information.

9. What did Sadiq Khan do before becoming mayor?

Before becoming mayor, Khan worked as a solicitor specialising in human rights, served as a local councillor in Wandsworth and represented Tooting in Parliament. He also held ministerial positions under Prime Minister Gordon Brown.