2015 London Labour Party mayoral selection

London Labour Party (UK) mayoral selection 2015

←  2010 14 August 2015 (2015-08-14) – 10 September 2015 (2015-09-10)
Turnout	76.5%
Candidate Sadiq Khan Tessa Jowell Diane Abbott 1st Pref. 32,926 26,121 14,798 Percentage 37.5% 29.7% 16.8% Final Pref. 48,151 33,575 — Percentage 58.9% 41.1% —   Candidate David Lammy Christian Wolmar Gareth Thomas 1st Pref. 8,255 4,729 1,055 Percentage 9.4% 5.4% 1.2%
Elected Mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan Labour

The London Labour Party mayoral selection of 2015 was the process by which the Labour Party selected its candidate for Mayor of London, to stand in the mayoral election on 5 May 2016. It was the first mayoral selection process since 2002 not to feature Ken Livingstone as a candidate.

Timetable

• 13 May 2015: Applications opened
• 20 May 2015 (12:00): Applications closed, Constituency Labour Party (CLP) nominations opened
• 10 June 2015: CLP nominations closed
• 12 June 2015: Selection Committee determines short-list
• 13 June 2015: Short-list announced
• 17 June 2015: First hustings, held in Camden
• 21 June 2015: Second hustings, held in Stratford
• 15 July 2015: Third hustings, held in Ealing
• 24 July 2015: Fourth hustings, held in Hornsey & Wood Green
• 30 July 2015: Final hustings, held in Southwark
• 12 August 2015 (12:00): Last date to join as an affiliated support or registered supporter of the Labour Party in London and be eligible to vote
• 14 August 2015: Ballot papers dispatched
• 10 September 2015 (12:00): Ballot closes
• 11 September 2015: Results announced

Candidates

CLP nominations

To proceed in the Labour selection process, each applicant had to secure the nomination of at least five Constituency Labour Parties (CLPs) in the London region. There are 73 CLPs in London, and each CLP could make up to two nominations. The first nomination was required to be for one of the female candidates, and the second nomination could be for any candidate. Nominations were decided at open meetings of local parties, with all Labour members and registered/affiliated supporters within that CLP eligible to vote in person. ^{[1] [2]}

The results were as follows:

First nomination		Second nomination
Candidate	CLPs	Candidate	CLPs
Tessa Jowell	63	Sadiq Khan	42
Diane Abbott	8	David Lammy	15
None	2	Christian Wolmar	6
		Gareth Thomas	6
		None	4

Keran Kerai and Neeraj Patil received no CLP nominations and were therefore eliminated from the contest. All six other applicants received enough nominations to go forward.

Announced

Nominated

Name	Born	Political office/position	Announced candidacy	Campaign website (Slogan)
Sadiq Khan (Selected)	8 October 1970 (age 54)	Shadow Secretary of State for Justice (2010–2015) Minister of State for Transport (2009–2010) MP for Tooting (2005–2016)	13 May 2015 [3]	Sadiq Khan – For London (Archived) ("Changing London together")
Tessa Jowell (Defeated)	17 September 1947 – 12 May 2018 (aged 70)	Minister for London (2007–2008; 2009–2010) Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (2001–2007) MP for Dulwich and West Norwood (1992–2015)	19 May 2015 [4]	Tessa for Londoners (Archived) ("One London")
Diane Abbott (Defeated)	27 September 1953 (age 71)	Shadow Minister for Public Health (2010–2013) MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington (1987–present)	13 May 2015 [5]	Diane for London (Archived)
David Lammy (Defeated)	19 July 1972 (age 52)	Minister of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills (2007–2010) MP for Tottenham (2000–present) Member of the London Assembly (2000)	4 September 2014 [6]	Lammy for Mayor (Archived) ("New London New Leadership")
Christian Wolmar (Defeated)	3 August 1949 (age 75)	Transport Correspondent for The Independent (1992–1996)	11 September 2012 [7]	Wolmar for London [ usurped ] ("For a more affordable, liveable and sustainable London")
Gareth Thomas (Defeated)	15 July 1967 (age 57)	Chair of the Co-operative Party (2001–2019) Minister of State for International Development (2008–2010) MP for Harrow West (1997–present)	15 May 2015 [8]	Gareth Thomas for London (Archived) ("A London for All Londoners")

Eliminated

• Keran Kerai, writer based in Harrow ^{[9] [10]}
• Neeraj Patil, former Mayor of Lambeth (2010–2011) and Lambeth Borough Councillor for Larkhall Ward (2006–2014) ^{[9] [10]}

Declined

The following candidates considered running or were mentioned as possible candidates, but ultimately did not put themselves forward for selection.

• Andrew Adonis, Baron Adonis, Shadow Infrastructure Minister and former Secretary of State for Transport ^{[11] [12]}
• Margaret Hodge, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee and MP for Barking ^[13]
• Eddie Izzard, comedian, actor and writer ^[14]
• Alan Johnson, former Home Secretary and MP for Kingston upon Hull West
• Oona King, former MP for Bethnal Green and Bow and candidate for Mayor in 2012 ^[15]
• Doreen Lawrence, campaigner and mother of Stephen Lawrence ^[16]
• Ken Livingstone, former Mayor of London ^[17]
• Sir Robin Wales, Mayor of Newham ^[18]

Opinion polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Diane Abbott	Tessa Jowell	Sadiq Khan	David Lammy	Gareth Thomas	Christian Wolmar	Other/ Undecided
YouGov/LBC [19]	10–12 August 2015	452 Labour voters [a]	± ?%	11%	23%	16%	9%	3%	1%	37%
		1,153 British residents [b]	± ?%	7%	19%	10%	5%	2%	2%	55%
LabourList [20]	3–7 August 2015	2,791 LabourList readers [c]	± ?%	23%	36%	23%	7%	1%	9%	1%
YouGov/ Evening Standard [21]	30 June – 2 July 2015	410 Labour voters [a]	± ?%	8%	24%	13%	14%	3%	1%	37%
		1,047 British residents [b]	± ?%	7%	16%	8%	8%	2%	2%	56%
LabourList [22]	29 June – 3 July 2015	? LabourList readers [c]	± ?%	12%	35%	18%	9%	1%	12%	13%
YouGov/ Evening Standard [23]	8–11 June 2015	433 Labour voters [a]	± ?%	9%	23%	20%	9%	1%	1%	37%
		1,236 British residents [b]	± ?%	6%	15%	10%	6%	1%	1%	60%
LabourList [24]	22–26 May 2015	2,274 LabourList readers [c]	± ?%	13.8%	30.9%	28.8%	9.9%	2.4%	9.9%	4.3%
YouGov/ Evening Standard [21]	29 April – 1 May 2015	? British residents [b]	± ?%	8%	16%	7%	6%	–	1%	62%
YouGov/ Evening Standard [25]	26–30 March 2015	405 Labour voters [a]	± ?%	11%	24%	11%	9%	–	1%	44%
		1,064 British residents [b]	± ?%	8%	17%	6%	6%	–	1%	62%
YouGov/ Evening Standard [26]	27 February – 2 March 2015	373 Labour voters [a]	± ?%	11%	21%	12%	8%	–	2%	46%
		1,011 British residents [b]	± ?%	6%	13%	7%	5%	–	1%	68%
YouGov/ Evening Standard [27]	26–29 January 2015	? Labour voters [a]	± ?%	12%	26%	19%	14%	–	2%	27%
YouGov/ Evening Standard [28]	8–13 October 2014	? Labour voters [a]	± ?%	9%	16%	10%	8%	–	1%	56%
		1,002 British residents [b]	± ?%	7%	12%	6%	5%	–	1%	69%
YouGov/ Evening Standard [29]	24–26 September 2014	439 Labour voters [a]	± ?%	11%	18%	10%	11%	–	0%	49%
		1,086 British residents [b]	± ?%	6%	12%	6%	6%	–	1%	70%
YouGov/ Evening Standard [30]	21–24 July 2014	489 Labour voters [a]	± ?%	14%	16%	6%	6%	–	2%	56%
		1,350 British residents [b]	± ?%	8%	12%	4%	4%	–	2%	70%
LabourList [31]	23–27 June 2015	722 LabourList readers [c]	± ?%	15%	17%	22%	7%	–	–	39%
YouGov/ Evening Standard [32]	17–19 June 2014	? Labour voters [a]	± ?%	17%	14%	8%	9%	–	–	52%
		1,115 British residents [b]	± ?%	9%	11%	5%	6%	–	–	69%
YouGov/ Evening Standard [33]	8–10 October 2013	445 Labour voters [a]	± ?%	13%	20%	9%	10%	–	–	48%
		1,231 British residents [b]	± ?%	9%	17%	5%	7%	–	–	62%

1. Persons who voted Labour in 2015 general election.
2. Residents over 18 in Great Britain
3. Persons who responded to a LabourList survey.

Results

Between 14 August and 10 September, affiliated and registered supporters and members of the Labour Party in London were able to vote. Turnout was 81% for members, 92% for registered supporters, and 45% for affiliated supporters. ^[34]

2015 London Labour Party selection [34]
Candidate	Round 1		Round 2		Round 3		Round 4		Round 5
	Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes	%
Sadiq Khan	32,926	37.5%	33,141	37.8%	34,813	40.0%	38,440	44.7%	Won 48,152	Won 58.9%
Tessa Jowell	26,121	29.7%	26,406	30.1%	27,272	31.3%	29,785	34.6%	33,573	41.1%
Diane Abbott	14,798	16.8%	14,891	17.0%	15,878	18.2%	17,784	20.7%	Eliminated
David Lammy	8,255	9.4%	8,392	9.6%	9,147	10.5%	Eliminated
Christian Wolmar	4,729	5.4%	4,927	5.6%	Eliminated
Gareth Thomas	1,055	1.2%	Eliminated
Inactive votes	0 ballots		127 ballots		774 ballots		1,875 ballots		6,159 ballots

Result by round

First round

Candidate		Party members		Registered supporters		Affiliated supporters		Total
		Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes		%
	Sadiq Khan	17,518	33.8%	11,077	42.1%	4,331	44.1%	32,926		37.5%
	Tessa Jowell	19,324	37.3%	4,442	16.9%	2,355	24.0%	26,121		29.7%
	Diane Abbott	6,890	13.3%	6,216	23.6%	1,692	17.2%	14,798		16.8%
	David Lammy	5,191	10.0%	2,318	8.8%	746	7.6%	8,255		9.4%
	Christian Wolmar	2,195	4.2%	1,997	7.6%	537	5.5%	4,729		5.4%
	Gareth Thomas	650	1.3%	241	0.9%	164	1.7%	1,055		1.2%

Second round

Candidate		Party members		Registered supporters		Affiliated supporters		Total
		Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes		%
	Sadiq Khan	17,665	34.2%	11,121	42.4%	4,355	44.4%	33,141		37.8%
	Tessa Jowell	19,535	37.8%	4,477	17.1%	2,394	24.4%	26,406		30.1%
	Diane Abbott	6,943	13.4%	6,238	23.8%	1,710	17.4%	14,891		17.0%
	David Lammy	5,279	10.2%	2,353	9.0%	760	7.8%	8,392		9.6%
	Christian Wolmar	2,288	4.4%	2,057	7.8%	582	5.9%	4,927		5.6%

Third round

Candidate		Party members		Registered supporters		Affiliated supporters		Total
		Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes		%
	Sadiq Khan	18,433	35.8%	11,835	45.6%	4,545	46.8%	34,813		40.0%
	Tessa Jowell	20,064	39.0%	4,710	18.1%	2,498	25.7%	27,272		31.3%
	Diane Abbott	7,323	14.2%	6,737	26.0%	1,818	18.7%	15,878		18.2%
	David Lammy	5,632	10.9%	2,671	10.3%	844	8.7%	9,147		10.5%

Fourth round

Candidate		Party members		Registered supporters		Affiliated supporters		Total
		Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes		%
	Sadiq Khan	20,628	40.5%	12,944	50.7%	4,868	50.7%	38,440		44.7%
	Tessa Jowell	21,851	43.0%	5,237	20.5%	2,697	28.1%	29,785		34.6%
	Diane Abbott	8,396	16.5%	7,345	28.8%	2,043	21.3%	17,784		20.7%

Fifth round

Candidate		Party members		Registered supporters		Affiliated supporters		Total
		Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes		%
	Sadiq Khan Y	24,983	51.0%	17,179	73.0%	5,990	65.2%	48,152		58.9%
	Tessa Jowell	24,019	49.0%	6,351	27.0%	3,203	34.8%	33,573		41.1%

See also

• 2016 Greater Manchester Labour Party mayoral selection
• 2015 London Conservative Party mayoral selection

References

1. "London Mayoral Selection". London Labour Party. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
2. Chakelian, Anoosh (10 June 2015). "Sadiq Khan and Tessa Jowell are in a tight race as nominations close for Labour's London mayoral candidate". New Statesman . Retrieved 11 June 2015.
3. Moodley, Kiran (13 May 2015). "Sadiq Khan announces bid to become London Mayor" . Independent. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
4. "Tessa Jowell bids to replace Boris Johnson as London mayor". BBC News. 19 May 2015. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
5. Crerar, Pippa (13 May 2015). "Labour MP Diane Abbott announces her bid to run for Mayor of London". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
6. Grice, Andrew (4 September 2014). "David Lammy MP announces bid to become Labour's London mayor" . Independent. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
7. Holdsworth, Rachel (11 September 2015). "Christian Wolmar Throws His Hat Into The 2016 Mayoral Ring". The Londonist. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
8. Stone, Jon (15 May 2015). "Labour MP Gareth Thomas joins the race to be his party's London Mayor candidate" . Independent. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
9. Donovan, Tim (21 May 2015). "Eight candidates to fight it out to be Labour's London mayor". BBC News Online.
10. "London mayor race 2016: Labour announce shortlisted six". BBC News Online. 13 June 2015.
11. Joe Murphy (11 September 2013). "Build for future now, says Adonis in mayoral pitch - London - News - London Evening Standard". Standard.co.uk. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
12. Murphy, Joe (19 February 2015). "I won't run for mayor - Dame Tessa Jowell is the best candidate, says". www.standard.co.uk.
13. "The populists at Westminster who are reshaping politics". Telegraph. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
14. Eames, Tom (26 March 2013). "Eddie Izzard to run for London Mayor in six years". Digital Spy. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
15. "Sadiq Khan wins support of Ken Livingstone and Oona King in London Mayor race". LabourList.
16. "Doreen Lawrence tipped as Labour Mayor candidate - ITV News". Itv.com. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
17. "BBC News - Ken Livingstone: End of the road for political heavyweight". Bbc.co.uk. 5 May 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
18. "Newham's Sir Robin Wales confirms his ambition for City Hall | Trial by Jeory". Trialbyjeory.wordpress.com. 15 April 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
19. "YouGov/ LBC Survey Results – Fieldwork: 10th - 12th August 2015" (PDF). YouGov.
20. "Stella Creasy takes the lead in the deputy leadership race, according to latest LabourList survey". LabourList.
21. "YouGov/ Evening Standard Survey Results – Fieldwork: 30th June - 2nd July 2015" (PDF). YouGov.
22. "LabourList readers give Jowell the lead in latest survey". LabourList.
23. "YouGov / Evening Standard Survey Results – Fieldwork: 8th - 11th June 2015" (PDF). YouGov.
24. "London mayoral survey results: Jowell in the lead but Khan isn't far behind". LabourList.
25. "YouGov / Evening Standard Survey Results – Fieldwork: 26th – 30th March 2015". YouGov.
26. "YouGov / Evening Standard Survey Results – Fieldwork: 27th February – 2nd March 2015" (PDF). YouGov.
27. "Sadiq Khan enjoys huge poll boost in Labour mayoral race". Evening Standard. 29 January 2015.
28. "YouGov / Evening Standard Survey Results – Fieldwork: 8th – 13th October 2014" (PDF). YouGov.
29. "YouGov / Evening Standard Survey Results – Fieldwork: 24th – 26th September 2014" (PDF). YouGov.
30. "YouGov / Evening Standard Survey Results – Fieldwork: 21st – 24th July 2014" (PDF). YouGov.
31. "Weekly Survey results: Your London Mayoral choice, youth training and Lords Reform". LabourList.
32. "YouGov / Evening Standard Survey Results – Fieldwork: 17th – 19th June 2014" (PDF). YouGov.
33. "YouGov / Evening Standard Survey Results – Fieldwork: 8th – 10th October 2013" (PDF). YouGov.
34. LabourList (11 September 2015). "Labour's Mayor of London candidate result: full breakdown". LabourList. Retrieved 25 June 2025.

External links

• London Labour Party website