Labour MP who shared a post accusing Kemi Badenoch of representing ‘white supremacy in blackface’ bids to become next London mayor_Nhy
A Labour MP who shared a post accusing Kemi Badenoch of representing ‘white supremacy in blackface’ is now bidding to be the next Labour London mayor.
Party sources said last night that outspoken MP Dawn Butler already ‘has a team in place’ to be the party’s candidate for the next mayoral contest in 2028.
Her potential bid comes amid reports that Labour mayor Sadiq Khan will not stand again after winning a third term in May this year.
Brent East MP Ms Butler sparked Tory fury last month for sharing a post that described Conservative leader Ms Badenoch as ‘the most prominent member of white supremacy’s black collaborator class.’
Sir Keir Starmer rebuked her, saying ‘she shouldn’t have said what she did’ and that she had been ‘quite right’ to delete the post.
The Tories have not won the Labour mayoralty since Boris Johnson’s last victory in 2012.
But last night, sources said former Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt was now being lined up to break Labour’s stranglehold on the capital.
One insider said that Ms Mordaunt, who lost her Commons Portsmouth seat that at the general election, ‘ticks all the boxes’ and was being seriously considered by the party.
Party sources said last night that outspoken MP Dawn Butler (pictured) already ‘has a team in place’ to be the party’s candidate for the next mayoral contest in 2028
Brent East MP Ms Butler sparked Tory fury last month for sharing a post that described Conservative leader Ms Badenoch (pictured) as ‘the most prominent member of white supremacy’s black collaborator class’
Last night, sources said former Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt was now being lined up to break Labour’s stranglehold on the capital. Pictured: During the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla
One source said: ‘They have been scouting around for a super star candidate but don’t have any in London itself.’
However, another insider suggested another motive would be to ‘take her out of the picture’ as a potential future challenger for the Tory leadership.
Ms Mordaunt, who won plaudits for carrying a ceremonial sword at King Charles’ Westminster Abbey coronation last year, was widely regarded as a leadership successor to Rishi Sunak before she lost her Portsmouth North seat in July.
Her allies have said that she is weighing up whether she can do it and still come back as an MP.
A senior party source confirmed discussions have taken place on lining up the former MP to take on Sadiq Khan at the next election.
Ms Mordaunt’s allies said she was weighing up a mayoral bid although she is also understood to want to return to the Commons.
Sources close to Mr Khan said last night that as he had just been re-elected, he was yet to decide on standing again and was focused on ‘delivering for Londoners’.
Ms Butler was unavailable for comment.
