The Tory London mayoral candidate discusses her bid to beat Sadiq Khan, her stance on police treatment, and her controversial tweets.
When I met Susan Hall for lunch, a poll had just been released showing the Conservative candidate was only three percentage points behind Sadiq Khan in the race for the next Mayor of London. Hall, however, did not seem shocked. “There was a previous one that had us one point behind,” she said. The poll suggested that, if Jeremy Corbyn runs as an independent and divides the left-leaning vote, Hall could easily overtake Khan in the May 2024 election. She added, “To be honest with you, knocking on doors for the past year, I knew it was within reach, because Khan’s making so many mistakes.”
Hall’s rise as a serious contender for the London mayoralty is an unexpected development. The 68-year-old, originally a hairdresser from north London, wasn’t the obvious choice for the Tory nomination. Initially, Paul Scully, the London minister, was expected to lead the race, but he failed to make the shortlist. Then, Daniel Korski, another of the final candidates, dropped out after accusations of sexual misconduct were made against him by several women (which he denies). This left Hall, who has 17 years of experience as a councillor in Harrow and as a member of the London Assembly, facing only Moz Hossain, an unknown criminal barrister with no political experience, as her rival.
Hall’s candidacy has been marked by her directness and confidence in the face of political challenges. She has framed her campaign as a response to what she sees as the failures of Sadiq Khan’s leadership, particularly regarding policing, crime, and transport. In her eyes, Khan’s handling of these issues has been inadequate, leaving room for a new approach to London’s problems. “The treatment of the police has been disgraceful,” she remarked, highlighting the importance of supporting law enforcement and addressing crime in the city.
While Hall has gained support among many Londoners, her journey to this point hasn’t been without controversy. Her candidacy has been accompanied by scrutiny of her past tweets and statements, some of which have sparked backlash. Nevertheless, Hall remains resolute, arguing that she is misunderstood and that her policies are focused on pragmatism and addressing the issues that matter most to Londoners.
The upcoming mayoral election presents a significant challenge for Hall, as she seeks to unseat the incumbent mayor, who is aiming for a historic third term. However, the political landscape is shifting, and Hall believes that the mistakes made by Khan during his tenure have created an opening for a new direction. Whether or not she can capitalize on this opportunity remains to be seen, but Hall’s growing momentum has made the race for Mayor of London much more competitive than many initially anticipated.
Hall’s story is also a testament to the unpredictable nature of political contests. A hairdresser turned politician, she has defied expectations to emerge as a serious contender in one of the most high-profile political races in the UK. With a combination of political experience, determination, and a message that resonates with many voters, Susan Hall is proving that the path to power can take many unexpected turns.
