End of Blair-ism? Sadiq Khan is London mayor candidate

Sadiq Khan, a senior Labour MP supported by powerful trade unions, was Friday declared elected as the party’s candidate for the London mayoral election next May, providing another indication of the party’s turn to the left as reflected in Jeremy Corbyn’s popularity.

The result of the party’s leadership election is due on Saturday, with Corbyn tipped to win comfortably in a field of four candidates. If he is elected, it will be seen as the end of the New Labour project identified with Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

Khan, 44, was born in London to Pakistan origin parents. A solicitor, he appeared for Indian doctor Vijay Jadhav in 2003 in a race discrimination case that ended in Jadhav winning £635,000 in damages.

Khan’s election as the Labour candidate for London mayor election is seen as a prelude to Corbyn’s election as party leader on Saturday. Observers have already seen Corbyn’s rise as one that will change the face of British politics for a long time, and pitch Labour firmly to the left.

Khan defeated Tessa Jowell, the Blair- ite former cabinet minister who was considered the frontrunner for the election. Khan was supported by former London mayor, Ken Livingstone, who is among the top supporters of Corbyn, who hailed his victory after the result was declared.

Khan, who will now stand down as MP for Tooting, is expected to be pitted against the Conservative MP, Zac Goldsmith, during the London mayoral election in May. The current mayor, Boris Johnson, won the election for two terms.

Blair, Brown and other senior Labour leaders have been severely critical of Corbyn and a Labour party under him. But every criticism has seen Corbyn’s popularity surge, indicating that his antiausterity and pro-nationalisation plans have touched a chord among many inside and outside the party.