Idris Elba ‘top of Labour’s wish list’ to succeed Sadiq Kahn as London Mayor candidate

Labour insiders are reportedly considering Idris Elba as a potential candidate for London Mayor, citing his influence and commitment to social issues

Idris Elba is reportedly being considered as a potential candidate for London Mayor, with Labour party insiders identifying the actor as their preferred choice to replace Sadiq Khan. Best known for his role in Luther, the 52-year-old has long been an advocate for social change, particularly in tackling knife crime.

Having worked closely with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on youth violence initiatives, his involvement in politics has steadily grown, making him an intriguing prospect for City Hall. A senior Labour source revealed: “Idris has star appeal, but he is also a thoughtful political campaigner. Labour has a choice – we can try to elevate a party insider, or we can support someone already widely known who aligns with our values. Idris would be at the very top of our wish list.”

Born and raised in Hackney, East London, Elba has remained deeply connected to his roots and has used his platform to raise awareness about societal issues, particularly gang violence and youth crime. He has been vocal about the need for intervention at a community level, recently calling for measures such as blunting the tips of knives to reduce fatal stabbings.

His documentary, Idris Elba: A Year of Knife Crime, delves into the harsh realities of the UK’s knife crime epidemic, featuring interviews with young offenders, victims ‘ families, and policymakers, including Starmer and even the King.

Reflecting on his time visiting a young offenders ‘ institution, Elba shared his eye-opening experience. “The big thing that I learned is that these young people aren’t the ‘ big and scary ‘ figures they’re often portrayed as. They’re still developing, still trying to find their way – it’s sad. It just felt like they were locked up and forgotten about, as if we’ve turned our backs on them”.

Elba also believes tech companies need to take more responsibility for their role in spreading harmful content that influences youth violence. He called for greater regulation, saying: “We don’t like knives, so we’re not going to tolerate you advertising knives to young people. We don’t like bullying, we don’t like violent content—this can be managed in a society where democracy leads. There needs to be accountability”.

While Elba’s entry into politics remains speculative, Labour insiders continue to discuss his potential as a candidate. Although some acknowledge that convincing him to run would be a challenge, his influence and popularity could make him a formidable contender.

With Khan expected to step down ahead of the next mayoral election, likely in 2028, the question remains – could Idris Elba trade Hollywood for City Hall? The Mirror has approached Idris’ representatives for comment on this story.

Source: Mirror