By GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT Published: 12:37 BST, 26 September 2025 | Updated: 12:42 BST, 26 September 2025
Sir Sadiq Khan today revealed he is aiming for a 16-year stretch as London mayor as he confirmed it is his 'intention' to run for a fourth term in charge of the capital.The Labour politician, who was first elected London mayor in 2016, said he had the 'best job in politics' as he set out an ambition to remain in his £170,000 a year role.The next London mayoral election is scheduled for 2028 meaning, if Sir Sadiq were to run and win, he could stretch his time as mayor beyond a decade-and-a-half to 2032.He is already the longest-serving London mayor following his historic third election victory last year, which came despite scrutiny of his record on crime in the capital.Sir Sadiq has also implemented a controversial expansion of the capital's ULEZ scheme, while Londoners recently endured another Tube strike despite his one-time promise of 'zero strikes' on public transport if he was elected mayor.His predecessor, Boris Johnson, served for two terms between 2008 and 2016, while Labour's Ken Livingstone also served two terms in City Hall after taking on the role following its creation in 2000.Sir Sadiq, who was MP for Tooting prior to becoming London mayor, has previously been touted as a future Labour leader should he make a return to Westminster.But, speaking to LBC radio on Friday, he dismissed any possibility of him attempting to revive a career in the House of Commons.This is in contrast to Andy Burnham, the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, who is flirting with a return to Westminster as part of a leadership challenge against Sir Keir Starmer.Sir Sadiq admitted Mr Burnham had raised 'legitimate concerns' about the Prime Minister's leadership following his series of headline-grabbing intervention. Sir Sadiq Khan today revealed he is aiming for a 16-year stretch as London mayor as he confirmed it is his 'intention' to run for a fourth term in charge of the capital The Labour politician, who was first elected London mayor in 2016, said he had the 'best job in politics' as he set out an ambition to remain in City Hall.The London mayor said: 'I think Andy's raising legitimate concerns he has, and, you know, he's entitled to do so.'Asked by LBC presenter James O'Brien whether Mr Burnham was going further than that and manoeuvring for the Labour leadership, Sir Sadiq said that was 'your characterisation'.He added: 'I think we've got 400 MPs, so it won't be a surprise to anybody that there may be a small minority not happy with the leadership.'I'm going to conference next week, and the joy of conference when Labour is in Government far outweighs any concerns people may have.'Commenting on his own political ambitions, Sir Sadiq told the phone-in show: 'I've got the best job in politics. There's no reason I'd give this job up for another job in politics.'I love what I'm doing, and Londoners have lent me their votes, not on one, not on two, but on three occasions.'As long as I continue to feel I can deliver for this great city of ours, I'll carry on being the mayor.'Asked if he would run for a fourth term as London mayor, Sir Sadiq added: 'That's my intention.'A source close to Sir Sadiq said he had not been commenting on whether he thought Mr Burnham's concerns were legitimate, but saying he had a right to raise something if he felt he had legitimate concerns.They added that the London mayor was 'clear' that Sir Keir was the PM elected by the country and he was 'working hard in the best interests of Britain'.
