Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Sadiq Khan's approval rating slumps for the first time since 2016

Sadiq Khan's approval rating slumps for the first time since 2016

A NEW survey has revealed that nearly half of Londoners think Sadiq Khan is doing a bad job as Mayor, reported MailOnline

  • According to a YouGov poll, 48 per cent of the respondents said Khan is performing badly, while more than a quarter of those surveyed said he was doing 'very badly.'
  • This is Khan's worst approval rating for the first time since taking office in 2016.
  • Meanwhile, just 38 per cent of respondents said they think he is doing 'well', representing a seven per cent drop since the last survey in March 2021.
  • The figures show Khan is less popular in outer London, where 51 per cent of residents believe he is doing badly - dropping to 43 per cent in inner London.

Sadiq Khan Sadiq Khan (Photo by Kate Green/Getty Images)


The MailOnline report said that now Khan has a net approval rating of minus ten.

According to YouGov, Khan, 51, has entered negative territory for the first time. It added that in key issues such as crime, housing and transport, Khan is performing badly than well.

Khan performed well in ratings in his first year as Mayor in May 2017, when 61 per cent of Londoners believed he was doing a good job.

As part of the Mayor's 'streetspace' initiative, he introduced several hundred miles of temporary cycle lanes during the pandemic. It was ruled 'unlawful' by a judge last year.

The lanes sparked criticism from motorists for increasing congestion, and one on Kensington High Street was removed following a local outcry.

So-called Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), which see pavements widened, roads closed off and cycle lanes introduced, have also been heavily criticised, the MailOnline report added.

Besides, Khan was last week accused of a 'money-making' plot to force motorists to 'pay per mile' to drive in the captial, to force those who use petrol or diesel cars to switch to public transport, walking, cycling or electric vehicles.

"Almost a year into his second term as Mayor of London, and for the first time since YouGov started asking in 2017, more Londoners think Sadiq Khan is doing badly than well. While he is retaining support amongst 2019 Labour voters, his scores have declined notably among them over the past year," Abigail Axe-Browne, research manager at YouGov, was quoted as saying by MailOnline.

"Perhaps more damaging for the Mayor is the fact 2019 Labour voters also tend to disapprove of his handling of housing and crime."

Knife crime remains an issue in London with 30 teenagers losing their lives to the scourge in 2021.

The poll, conducted between January 7 and 10, has revealed that Khan is much more popular among 18-24 year olds, with only 37 per cent of people in the category believing him to be performing badly.

He is most disliked by over 65s, with 56 per cent of such residents saying he is doing a bad job.

However, Khan performed better than other leaders in the poll, including Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and prime minister Boris Johnson.

Only 33 per cent of Londoners believe Sir Keir is doing a good job, dropping to just 21 per cent for Johnson.

More For You

wasim bashir

Bashir retired from the force while under investigation but will still face misconduct proceedings. (Photo credit: West Yorkshire Police)

West Yorkshire Police

Former West Yorkshire Police officer jailed for misconduct

A FORMER West Yorkshire Police officer has been sentenced to two years and three months in prison after being convicted of misconduct in a public office.

Wasim Bashir, 55, who worked as a detective constable in Bradford District, was found guilty of one count of misconduct in a public office for forming a sexual relationship with a female victim of crime. He was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday, 29 August.

Keep ReadingShow less
Epping protests

Protesters calling for the closure of The Bell Hotel, which was housing asylum seekers, gather outside the council offices in Epping on August 8, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Over a dozen councils plan legal action despite Home Office court win

Highlights:

  • Court of Appeal has overturned injunction blocking use of Epping hotel for asylum seekers.
  • Judges say human rights obligations outweigh local safety concerns.
  • At least 13 councils preparing legal action despite ruling.
  • Protests outside the Bell Hotel lead to arrests and police injuries.

MORE than a dozen councils are moving ahead with legal challenges against the use of hotels for asylum seekers despite the Home Office winning an appeal in the Court of Appeal.

Keep ReadingShow less
India-Canada-iStock

India and Canada have appointed new envoys in a step to restore diplomatic ties strained since 2023. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Envoys appointed as India, Canada move to restore diplomatic ties

INDIA and Canada on Thursday announced the appointment of new envoys to each other’s capitals, in a step aimed at restoring strained ties following the killing of a Sikh separatist in 2023.

India has named senior diplomat Dinesh K Patnaik as the next high commissioner to Ottawa, while Canada appointed Christopher Cooter as its new envoy to New Delhi.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rajitha Senaratne arrested

Security officers escort Sri Lankan former fisheries minister, Rajitha Senaratne (C), outside a court in Colombo on August 29, 2025. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Getty Images

Rajitha Senaratne detained as Sri Lanka intensifies anti-corruption drive

SRI LANKAN former government minister surrendered himself to a court on Friday (29) after two months on the run, the latest high profile detention in a sweeping anti-corruption crackdown.

Anti-graft units have ramped up their investigations since president Anura Kumara Dissanayake came to power in September on a promise to fight corruption.

Keep ReadingShow less
protests-uk-getty
Protesters from the group Save Our Future & Our Kids Future demonstrate against uncontrolled immigration outside the Cladhan Hotel on August 16, 2025 in Falkirk, Scotland. (Photo: Getty Images)
Getty Images

Government wins appeal over housing asylum seekers in hotel

Highlights:

  • UK appeals court overturns ruling blocking hotel use for asylum seekers
  • Judges call earlier High Court decision “seriously flawed”
  • 138 asylum seekers will not need to be relocated by September 12
  • Full hearing scheduled at the Court of Appeal in October

A UK appeals court has overturned a lower court order that had temporarily blocked the use of a hotel in Epping, northeast of London, to house asylum seekers.

Keep ReadingShow less