Reform UK’s 2028 London mayoral candidate, Leila Cunningham, has launched a fierce, live challenge against incumbent Sadiq Khan, accusing him of failing Londoners on crime amidst rising knife attacks and a 𝓈𝒽𝓸𝒸𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 rape epidemic. Cunningham promises an all-out war on crime, pledging visible policing and radical reforms to restore safety to the capital.

Leila Cunningham, a former crown prosecutor and mother of seven, boldly confronts London’s rising crime crisis, directly challenging Khan’s record. She rejects official claims of falling crime rates, revealing knife crime has surged 68% under Khan’s tenure, and condemning the near-total neglect of rape investigations across the city.

Cunningham’s campaign ignites amidst a glaring disconnect between government statistics and Londoners’ lived realities. Despite Metropolitan Police assurances that violent crime is declining, many residents experience daily threats—from knife-wielding muggers to rampant phone theft. Cunningham underscores her personal fight, recounting how she tracked and drove out criminals targeting her own family.

The candidate criticizes Khan’s prioritization of certain crimes while ignoring others, notably pointing out the exclusion of rape from violent crime statistics reported by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC). With one rape reported every hour and a mere 6% investigation rate, Cunningham warns London faces a “rape epidemic” that demands urgent attention.

Calling for a radical reboot of policing, Cunningham vows to increase visible police presence throughout London’s neighborhoods. She advocates for “pop-up” police stations in vacant high street shops, designed to bridge the gap between law enforcement and communities, improve crime reporting transparency, and encourage recruitment of special constables.

Her approach starkly contrasts with Khan’s, who recently hailed homicide reduction while critics highlight that homicides represent only the rarest form of violent crime. Cunningham insists Londoners cannot be placated by selective data when pervasive street crime and fears grip the city’s residents day and night.

Cunningham’s fight transcends crime statistics. She openly embraces her diverse background—Egyptian heritage, Muslim faith—while confronting the vitriol and 𝓪𝓫𝓾𝓼𝓮 she has faced, much like Khan. She firmly rejects claims that her record is overshadowed by identity, asserting instead that Londoners demand leadership that matches their priorities, not political convenience.

Amid escalating tensions, Cunningham pledges a zero-tolerance stance against all forms of crime, from violent knife offenses to organized rape gangs, promising that perpetrators will find “nowhere to hide.” Her plan includes dedicated specialist police units targeting these crimes, setting the stage for a battle to reclaim London’s streets.

The Reform UK candidate makes clear this election will be a binary choice: business as usual under Khan, or transformative change under Cunningham. She vows to restore national pride and public safety, advocating for London as the unmistakable capital of a strong, united United Kingdom where British identity is celebrated visibly and proudly.

This live challenge exposes a mayoral race far more contentious and close than anticipated, as Cunningham’s campaign cuts through media soundbites and forces a hard look at the city’s safety record. She urges London voters to prioritize accountability, transparency, and law and order when heading to the polls.

In stark contrast to Khan’s more cautious policing strategy, Cunningham’s energetic, hands-on approach—rooted in her prosecutorial experience and personal confrontations with crime—signals a dramatic pitch for control over Britain’s largest city. Her unequivocal message: London cannot afford another term of ineffective leadership.

Cunningham’s promise to harness the power of local communities, enforce stricter crime prosecutions, and empower police officers to act decisively comes amid growing unease about crime’s rise and political inertia. With families like hers personally targeted, her campaign blends urgency with intimate knowledge of London’s pressing safety needs.

As the mayoral race heats up, Cunningham confronts not only crime but also cultural and identity politics within Reform UK and London itself. She challenges narrow definitions of “Britishness,” emphasizing shared values and love of London as the true markers of belonging in the capital’s diverse population.

Her proposals include reviving police presence through innovative solutions and restoring trust between citizens and law enforcement, which she says is currently fractured by poor communication and lack of follow-up on reports. Rebuilding this trust is core to her vision of a safer, more accountable London.

Cunningham’s candidacy reminds voters that beyond statistics lies the real impact of crime on families and neighborhoods. The deeply personal nature of her campaign—the “vigilante mom” who took the law into her own hands—is a potent symbol of frustration with the status quo and a rallying cry for decisive leadership.

This urgent live challenge forces London’s mayoral contest into the spotlight, shifting the narrative from political posturing to raw public safety realities. Cunningham’s no-nonsense critique of Khan’s performance and comprehensive crime-fighting strategy elevate the stakes as the capital prepares for a pivotal election.

Londoners grappling with insecurity on their streets now face a stark choice between continued decline under Khan or Cunningham’s disruptive, promise-driven platform. The race is poised to become an electrifying referendum on the future of law and order in one of the world’s great cities.

The Reform UK candidate’s message is equally blunt and inclusive: London’s diversity and multiculturalism will thrive only if safety is ensured. Her pledge to champion both community cohesion and firm justice aims to unite voters tired of violence and political spin.

With tensions rising, Cunningham’s campaign signals that crime and public safety will dominate voter concerns, potentially reshaping the political landscape. This fierce contest could mark a dramatic turning point, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and real change in London’s approach to policing.