Reform’s London mayor pick: I want to design London like an iPhone

Laila Cunningham, Reform UK's candidate for the London mayoral election in 2028, outlined her vision for the city in an interview with City AM. Cunningham emphasized her desire to "design London like an iPhone," aiming to make life in the city easier, more intuitive, and less costly. She vowed to tackle London's issues directly, including crime, transport fares, and affordable housing.

Cunningham criticized Labour and the Conservatives for their respective mayoral candidates, Sir James Cleverly and Sir Sadiq Khan, stating that neither has been a positive influence on the city. She expressed frustration that Cleverly had adopted her slogans, accusing him of stealing her ideas. The former Crown Prosecution Service lawyer also complained about congestion charges and cycle lane introductions, suggesting they were causing friction between councils and leaving major bridges, like Hammersmith Bridge, in disrepair.

When asked about solving these problems, Cunningham responded, "Give me the money, and I'll fix it." She suggested that the government could fund major repairs, including those needed for Hammersmith Bridge. Cunningham also expressed her support for AI in public services, including a potential rollout of Palantir in the Metropolitan Police. She defended the use of AI over hiring more people, emphasizing that technology could reduce costs and improve efficiency.

Despite her progressive stance on AI and technology, Cunningham's election prospects remain uncertain. Currently, Reform UK has not yet adopted a clear strategy for the upcoming mayoral election, which will use a supplementary voting system. However, the party has shown improvement in London Assembly elections using a proportional additional member system. As the election approaches, Cunningham's proposals and ability to attract voters will be crucial in determining her chances of becoming London's next mayor.