Reform UK’s Laila Cunningham, the party’s candidate for London Mayor, has a compelling backstory intertwined with the aftermath of the 2005 7/7 suicide bombings, during which she applied to join MI5. The proud Muslim and daughter of Egyptian immigrants revealed, “My first instinct was to protect my country,” highlighting her commitment to national security, reports BritPanorama.
Cunningham, an Arabic speaker, recalled being drawn to the Security Service’s recruitment efforts targeting individuals from the Middle East in response to the devastating terror attack that killed 52 people and injured hundreds. She stated, “I applied to join. It was like, ‘I’m here for you, whatever I can do’. So, I went in for the first interview.”
Although she initially pursued a career in intelligence, Cunningham eventually declined the opportunity to join MI5. “My then-husband [French entrepreneur Philippe Dupuy] was a foreign national, and they said that because of that, I wouldn’t be able to tell him what I did,” she explained. “So I would have had to live a lie at home — and that would have been too hard for me.” Despite the experience, Cunningham insists her candidacy will invigorate the mayoral race.
Nicknamed the “vigilante mum,” she has held various roles, including public prosecutor and yoga teacher. In 2022, she was elected as a Conservative councillor in Westminster before switching to Reform UK the following year. Aged 48 and now a mother of seven, Cunningham’s entry into politics reflects a blend of personal resilience and a desire to address pressing societal issues, including crime in London. She has voiced strong concerns about the prevalence of muggings and sexual violence, stating, “We’ve got a rape epidemic, shoplifting epidemic, robbery epidemic and a mugging epidemic.”
The candidate’s background informs her law-and-order platform as she prepares for the upcoming 2028 mayoral election. In her statements, she emphasizes the need for unity rather than division, citing current Mayor Sadiq Khan as contributing to social fragmentation. “I want us all to be united, no matter where you’re from, who you pray to or what your sexual preference is,” she asserts.
Cunningham’s criticism extends to the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) policy and the handling of public protests regarding Palestine, where she has promised to take a firm stance against antisemitism. Her election campaign will likely test the boundaries of policy debates in London while also challenging public perception of safety and community cohesion.
As Cunningham navigates her candidacy, she embodies the complexities of contemporary London, drawing on personal experience while calling for a return to national pride and security. Her rhetoric suggests a blend of traditional patriotism and a focused approach to governance. The upcoming election will serve as an arena for addressing broader themes of identity and safety in the capital.
In the context of mounting societal challenges, Cunningham’s candidacy underscores a growing desire among some constituents for a return to more traditional values juxtaposed with the realities of urban governance. The balance between security, inclusivity, and civic pride will be pivotal as voters consider the future leadership of London.
