Could Idris Elba be the next Mayor of London? While he’s been previously tipped to replace Daniel Craig as James Bond, it seems Elba could be swapping the tuxedo for a more political role in the future.
According to reports, the 52-year-old actor and anti-knife crime campaigner is Labour’s top choice to replace Sadiq Khan as London Mayor in 2028.
🏙️ A Growing Labour Momentum
Labour insiders are reportedly warming to the idea of Elba taking the reins from Sadiq Khan. While names like Dawn Butler, Stella Creasy, and Darren Lammy are also being floated as internal candidates, some within the party are keen to back an outsider with a high public profile—someone like Idris Elba.
🔪 Tackling Knife Crime
Elba, best known for his role in Luther, has already made his mark off-screen by tackling the UK’s growing knife-crime epidemic. His community-led initiatives and campaigns, including calls for blunt knife tips, have earned him recognition as a serious political figure.
🏛️ Sadiq Khan’s Time as Mayor
Sadiq Khan retained his position as Mayor of London in the 2024 elections, winning comfortably against Conservative challenger Susan Hall. However, despite his victory, Khan has faced criticism for his handling of crime in the capital. His tenure has been marked by calls for stronger leadership on security, and though he remains popular with Labour members, he is expected to step down in 2028.
💬 Elba’s Political Connections
Idris Elba has already collaborated with Keir Starmer on anti-knife crime initiatives, strengthening his ties with Labour. If Elba were to step into the political arena and run for Mayor, it would mark a huge leap for the actor—though no official offer has been made yet.
Could the next Mayor of London really be Idris Elba? Only time will tell, but his growing political influence suggests that this isn’t just idle speculation.
You may also like: Trump says he’s ‘not joking’ about a possible third term – what does this mean?