Sadiq Khan urges New Yorkers to elect Zohran Mamdani as mayor

By GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT

Published: | Updated:

Sir Sadiq Khan today revived his feud with Donald Trump as he urged New Yorkers to elect left-winger Zohran Mamdani as their city's new mayor. The London mayor threw his support behind Democratic candidate Mr Mamdani in the battle to run America's largest city. Mr Mamdani, a self-described socialist, is vying with independent candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican hopeful Curtis Sliwa to become mayor. Polls opened early on Tuesday morning and will close at 9pm local time in the contest to become the next incumbent of New York City Hall.

Sir Sadiq Khan today revived his feud with Donald Trump as he urged New Yorkers to elect left-winger Zohran Mamdani as their city's new mayor. The London mayor threw his support behind Democratic candidate Mr Mamdani in the battle to run America's largest city. Mr Mamdani, a self-described socialist, is vying with independent candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican hopeful Curtis Sliwa to become mayor. Polls opened early on Tuesday morning and will close at 9pm local time in the contest to become the next incumbent of New York City Hall.

Mr Trump has endorsed Mr Cuomo in the election as he warned voters not to elect Mr Mamdani, who the US President branded a 'communist'. On the eve of Tuesday's election, Mr Trump even threatened to withhold federal funds from New York if Mr Mamdani won. But Sir Sadiq, who has frequently clashed with the US President, called on New Yorkers to 'embrace Mamdani's hopeful and optimistic vision for the future'.

Mr Trump has endorsed Mr Cuomo in the election as he warned voters not to elect Mr Mamdani, who the US President branded a 'communist'. On the eve of Tuesday's election, Mr Trump even threatened to withhold federal funds from New York if Mr Mamdani won. But Sir Sadiq, who has frequently clashed with the US President, called on New Yorkers to 'embrace Mamdani's hopeful and optimistic vision for the future'.

He also drew parallels between attacks he faced in past elections, based on his faith, and barbs faced by Mr Mamdani as he bids to be New York's first ever Muslim mayor. A source close to Sir Sadiq said: 'The similarities between the attacks Mamdani has faced and what Sadiq has faced in elections, particularly in 2016, are uncanny. 'Weaponising Mamdani's faith and linking him to terrorism and extremism is an old campaigning tactic, and one we're all too familiar with here in London.

He also drew parallels between attacks he faced in past elections, based on his faith, and barbs faced by Mr Mamdani as he bids to be New York's first ever Muslim mayor. A source close to Sir Sadiq said: 'The similarities between the attacks Mamdani has faced and what Sadiq has faced in elections, particularly in 2016, are uncanny. 'Weaponising Mamdani's faith and linking him to terrorism and extremism is an old campaigning tactic, and one we're all too familiar with here in London.

'The closer we get to the election, and the more his positive vision has connected with voters in New York City, the more divisive and desperate Mamdani's opponents have become. 'The mayor hopes that like in London, New Yorkers see through the politics of hatred and fear, and embrace Mamdani's hopeful and optimistic vision for the future.'

'The closer we get to the election, and the more his positive vision has connected with voters in New York City, the more divisive and desperate Mamdani's opponents have become. 'The mayor hopes that like in London, New Yorkers see through the politics of hatred and fear, and embrace Mamdani's hopeful and optimistic vision for the future.'

Mr Trump and Sir Sadiq clashed in September after the US President branded him a 'terrible, terrible mayor' and claimed he wanted to introduce Sharia law in London. In a rambling speech at the UN General Assembly in New York, Mr Trump said the capital had 'been changed, it's been so changed'.

Mr Trump and Sir Sadiq clashed in September after the US President branded him a 'terrible, terrible mayor' and claimed he wanted to introduce Sharia law in London. In a rambling speech at the UN General Assembly in New York, Mr Trump said the capital had 'been changed, it's been so changed'.

'Now they want to go to Sharia law. But you are in a different country, you can't do that,' he added. A spokesperson for Sir Sadiq responded at the time: 'We are not going to dignify his appalling and bigoted comments with a response.

'Now they want to go to Sharia law. But you are in a different country, you can't do that,' he added. A spokesperson for Sir Sadiq responded at the time: 'We are not going to dignify his appalling and bigoted comments with a response.

'London is the greatest city in the world, safer than major US cities, and we're delighted to welcome the record number of US citizens moving here.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer labelled Mr Trump's remarks as 'ridiculous'.

'London is the greatest city in the world, safer than major US cities, and we're delighted to welcome the record number of US citizens moving here.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer labelled Mr Trump's remarks as 'ridiculous'.

LondonAndrew CuomoSadiq KhanNew York

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