Former mayoral rivals for Labour ticket join forces to back Sadiq Khan

Labour mayoral rivals from the 2012 contest Ken Livingstone and Oona King today joined forces to back Sadiq Khan in the race for City Hall.

The endorsement is a coup for the Left-leaning Tooting MP as Mr Livingstone still holds great sway in the London party.

Baroness King, who unsuccessfully stood against the former mayor ahead of the 2012 contest, is a well-known Blairite and the sort of backer Mr Khan needs to convince if he is to win.

He has been canvassing support from a wide range of Labour MPs and figures in a bid to build a “big tent” of support to secure the party’s nomination.

There have been some concerns within the party that the leading London MP could win the Labour contest as a result of Union support, but then struggle to retake City Hall.

Sources from Unite, which has thousands of members in London, said it planned to support Mr Khan. There have been reports of union phone banks calling members to persuade them to sign up as affiliates and vote for him.

Mr Livingstone told Evening Standard: “It’s time to hand over to the next generation. Sadiq grew up on a council estate but ended up running a successful business and sitting in the Cabinet. His story is London’s story.

“He will ensure that all Londoners have the opportunities they need to make a better life for themselves.”

The endorsement of Baroness King, formerly MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, was more unexpected. She is likely to take on a prominent role in his campaign, but not as running mate.

“We need a candidate who can unite Londoners from all backgrounds and win the mayoralty,” she said.

“Sadiq has proven he knows how to win London and he can bring together people as different as me and Ken.”