Look, the London mayor controls a lot of stuff: the Tube, the buses, the police (partly), housing policy, and the congestion charge. That means whoever wins in 2026 will decide if your commute costs £15 or £20 or if you have to swim to work because they’ve pedestrianised the Thames. It’s a big job, and they get a snazzy office in City Hall, which is currently shaped like a glass egg. Fancy.
Here’s a truly surprising fact: the London mayor has less power than the mayor of Paris or New York, but more power than the Queen. Technically, the Queen can’t order a bus to turn left. The mayor can. So take that, monarchy. In 2026, you get to choose who holds that bus-rending power.
So, until then, keep an eye on the news, ignore the early polls (they’re always wrong), and start practising your “I was this close to voting for the Croissant Party” story. The countdown to Thursday, 7 May 2026 is on. You’ve got exactly one year and a bit to decide if you want a mayor who’s a bit of a plonker or a mayor who’s a complete plonker. See you at the ballot box!
P.S. If you’re a non-Brit, please don’t move to London just to vote. We have enough problems. And if you’re a pigeon, you can’t vote either. Sorry.
