Sebastian Coe Touted as Potential London Mayoral Candidate After Stunning Poll Results
Lord Sebastian Coe, the former Olympic champion and Conservative peer, is facing mounting pressure to enter the race for London mayor following private polling that indicates he could spearhead a dramatic Tory revival in the capital. The research, commissioned for Conservative backers, reveals that Coe's popularity among Londoners significantly outstrips that of any current political party leader, including the incumbent mayor, Sadiq Khan.
Polling Data Shows Clear Advantage Over Rivals
The survey of 2,000 London residents found that Lord Coe boasts a favourability rating that is a remarkable 19 points higher than Mayor Khan's. Specifically, Coe achieved a net favourability score of plus 13, while Khan languished at minus six. This support extends beyond traditional Conservative voters, reaching into Labour and Reform UK demographics and spanning all age groups.
In contrast, other potential candidates trailed behind. Former Tory home secretary Sir James Cleverly recorded a net rating of plus three, placing him just below Green Party leader Zack Polanski and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, both on plus six. Reform UK's London candidate, Laila Cunningham, scored plus one.
Conservative Anxiety Over London's Political Landscape
The Conservative Party is keen to reverse a decade of disappointing results in London since Boris Johnson left the mayoral office in 2016. Despite growing criticism of his handling of crime, housing, and taxation, Sir Sadiq Khan has secured three consecutive terms and has not yet declared whether he will seek a fourth in 2028.
Tory insiders believe the 2028 contest presents a unique opportunity for a comeback, particularly as the Green Party erodes Labour's vote share and Reform UK struggles to maintain its national support levels in the capital. One Conservative insider emphasised Coe's appeal, stating, 'Londoners know Seb Coe as the gold medalist who helped bring the best Olympics of a generation to the city. He is a proven winner who has already delivered for the capital - putting him way ahead of the field.'
Lord Coe's Political and Sporting Legacy
Lord Coe, a former Conservative MP who has long been speculated as a potential mayoral candidate, played a pivotal role in securing the 2012 Olympic Games for London. In 2015, he resisted pressure to stand, including from Boris Johnson, insisting his political career was 'over' and that his passion lay in sports administration. However, with his term as president of World Athletics set to conclude next year, senior Conservatives are hopeful he might reconsider.
An ally of Lord Coe confirmed he is still weighing his options. Meanwhile, Sir James Cleverly, who served on the London Assembly for years, has hinted at his own mayoral ambitions, describing the role as an 'incredibly important job' and admitting, 'I'd be stupid not to think about it.' Nonetheless, Cleverly is also thought to harbour aspirations for the Tory leadership, which he narrowly missed after the last election.
Strategic Implications for the Conservative Party
Tory strategists are determined to improve upon recent performances, which saw candidates like Zac Goldsmith, Shaun Bailey, and Susan Hall suffer heavy defeats to Sir Sadiq Khan. The polling data suggests that Lord Coe's broad appeal could be the key to unlocking a Conservative resurgence in London, making him a formidable contender in what promises to be a highly competitive 2028 mayoral race.
