Sadiq Khan pledges to bring in London ‘charter’ for good development

“The new standard will ensure that Londoners get first dibs on new homes, rather than overseas investors, while requiring greater transparency around the planning process.

“Crucially, it will ensure that local people are properly consulted on any new developments in their area. It’s all part of my plan to finally get a grip on London’s housing crisis after eight years of Tory failure.”

According to a new Labour analysis, it would be cheaper to live in a four-star hotel in two thirds of European capitals than to rent the average London flat.

With the average rent in the capital now £1,676 per month — £55 a night — visitors could stay in the plush Assenzio Hotel in Prague, the Best Western Plus in Paris or the Nordic Hotel Domicil in Berlin.

The London Citizens event is one of the highlights of the election race, with thousands of members putting their “asks” on housing, jobs and other key areas to the main contenders.

As the campaign entered its final days, Mr Goldsmith admitted he faced “the fight of my life” to beat the Tooting MP to City Hall. He claimed the election would come down to just 1,000 voters in each of London’s 33 local authorities — the number that could have changed the result in 2012 — and said he would be “campaigning tirelessly” for every vote over the next seven days.

The Richmond Park and North Kingston MP claimed the capital’s “future prosperity” was at stake if Labour won the contest, as many expect, as it would put Jeremy Corbyn’s hands “on the lever of power”.

He said: “In one week’s time Londoners will decide between my action plan for Greater London, which will freeze council tax and keep the economy strong, or Jeremy Corbyn’s hands on the levers of power thanks to his man in London Sadiq Khan, putting up taxes and our city grinding to a standstill.

“The election will come down to one thousand voters in every borough, it could not be closer. I’ve got seven days to campaign tirelessly and fight for every last vote. It’s the fight of my life and London’s future prosperity is at stake.”

Mr Goldsmith was out leafleting with some 30 Tory MPs in St John’s Wood this morning, before touring Leadenhall Market in the City with Boris Johnson later in the day.