The Liberal Democrats’ London mayoral candidate will launch his campaign on Tuesday morning, arguing that Sadiq Khan does “not deserve” a third term due to his record on crime.
The party’s City Hall contender Rob Blackie also dismissed the chances of Tory candidate Susan Hall, claiming that the Conservatives have “given up on London” by selecting her.
At his campaign launch in Brixton, Mr Blackie will tell an audience of journalists and party members: “My top priority is crime and policing.
“Sadiq Khan’s failure on those issues is the main reason I am standing against him.
“Violent crime has risen by 30 percent in London since Mr Khan has been in office. Sexual offence clear-up rates have halved in the last eight years…
“Sadiq Khan blames everyone else for this but himself. The buck stops with him and we will call him out in this campaign.”
Sources close to the Labour mayor have previously argued he is tackling crime “with one hand tied behind his back, in the face of over £1bn of Tory austerity cuts to cops and youth services”, while adding that he “would welcome the Lib Dems joining him in making the case for the Government to properly fund our police”.
Mr Blackie is also expected to describe Conservative candidate Ms Hall as “beyond the pale”. He will say: “Far from embracing London, she attacks it. Liking tweets that call our city Londonistan and venerate Enoch Powell.
“Does she even like London? She certainly doesn’t love our great city. When the Conservatives chose her as their candidate, they gave up on this election.”
Ms Hall’s team has said she “engages with many people on Twitter without endorsing their views” and that she is “proud to celebrate London’s diverse communities”.
Mr Blackie’s launch comes just days after Mr Khan launched a “love letter” campaign to persuade Lib Dem and Green supporters to “lend him” their votes in what he called a “close two-horse race”. The Lib Dems have come fourth in the last three mayoral elections, losing their £10,000 deposit each time.
Tuesday also marks the start of the official pre-election period for the mayoral race and London Assembly contests.
The election is expected to involve more than 3,600 polling stations across London on May 2. The stations will have more than 12,000 staff and will open between 7am and 10pm. Votes will be counted on May 3 and 4.
