Khaberni - In a surprising move that could reshape the race for London's mayoralty, the far-right Reform Party announced the nomination of Laila Cunningham to run in the capital's mayoral elections scheduled for May 2028, making her the first Muslim woman of Egyptian descent to enter this race in British history, according to global media outlets.
Laila Cunningham was born in London to an Egyptian migrant family that settled in the United Kingdom since the 1960s, studied law and specialized in criminal law, before working as a public prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service, where she handled sensitive cases, including an assault case at the gates of Buckingham Palace.
In June 2025, she resigned from her position after joining the Reform Party, in compliance with the political neutrality rules imposed on civil service employees, and alongside her legal career, Cunningham was known for her community activism and entrepreneurship.
Who is Laila Cunningham? The Reform UK candidate for London mayor - Yahoo News UK
Laila Cunningham is a mother to seven children and gained wide recognition after chasing a group of thieves who tried to attack her children, in an incident that received significant media attention at the time, and contributed to launching local initiatives to enhance community safety, earning her the title "The Vigilant Mother".
In a related context, the Reform Party's decision to nominate a Muslim figure of Arab origin sparked a wave of controversy, especially in light of the party's traditional anti-immigration rhetoric.
Some saw the move as an attempt to polish the party's image and expand its electoral base within London, while others considered it to reflect a deeper shift in its political strategy, and its readiness to penetrate new electoral environments.
Cunningham appeared alongside party leader Nigel Farage during the launch of the summer anti-crime campaign, where Farage affirmed that she is a strong candidate capable of addressing diverse social demographics. In her first statements, she sharply criticized the current mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, pledging to wage a war on crime if she wins.
She announced that her priorities would include tackling knife crimes, drugs, burglary, and sexual assaults, along with redefining the police and crime strategy in London, in addition to her commitment to cancel the Ultra Low Emission Zone, aligning with her party’s stance on environmental policies.
Reform UK Names Former Prosecutor as Candidate for London Mayor - Bloomberg
The announcement of the candidate more than two and a half years before the election date is an unusual step, but it gives the Reform Party ample time to build its campaign and test its political message in the capital, despite its currently limited presence in London, where it only has minimal local representation compared to major parties.
