Exploring the backstory and policies of Moz Hossain, Conservative London mayoral candidate, and his chances against Sadiq Khan in 2024

Mozammel ‘Moz’ Hossain KC is a Conservative party candidate vying to be the party’s nominee for the 2024 London mayoral election. If selected over his competitor Susan Hall, Hossain will face incumbent Labour mayor Sadiq Khan, who is running for a historic third term in office.

Who is Moz Hossain?

Born in the village of Barisal in Bangladesh, Moz Hossain grew up in modest conditions, living in a wooden hut with a mud floor and a tin roof. He did not own a pair of shoes until the age of 16. At 21, Hossain moved to the UK, where he studied law in Liverpool for four years, before relocating to London in 1999.

Hossain became a British citizen in 2009, which he regards as one of his proudest achievements. In 2019, he made history by becoming the first Bangladeshi-born criminal barrister to be appointed as a Queen’s Counsel (QC). He now practices at 187 Chambers and has been involved in some of the country’s most complex and high-profile legal cases.

What are Moz Hossain’s Policies?

As a criminal barrister, Hossain has emphasised crime reduction as a central element of his campaign. He has proposed bold measures to tackle violent crime in the capital, particularly focusing on gangs, knife crime, and phone robberies. He aims to create a “Targeted Termination Team” within the Metropolitan Police, which would be dedicated to hunting down and arresting gang leaders. He also supports an increase in “intelligence-based stop and search” and plans to improve police visibility throughout London by placing CCTV at every bus stop and ensuring streets are brightly lit at night.

Hossain has also made his opposition to the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) a key policy. He has promised to switch off enforcement cameras in outer London on his first day as mayor, arguing that the Ulez expansion, which introduces a £12.50 daily charge for non-compliant vehicles, is “immeasurably cruel” in the context of the cost of living crisis.

Additionally, Hossain has expressed intentions to make housing more affordable and improve London’s transport connectivity.

Could Moz Hossain Defeat Sadiq Khan?

James Johnson, a former Downing Street pollster, believes that the Tories’ best chance in the 2024 mayoral election lies with “the outsider choice,” suggesting that Hossain’s unique background could resonate with voters. Johnson’s polling firm, JL Partners, found that when Hossain’s backstory was presented anonymously alongside that of other Conservative candidates, he was the top choice at 41%, outperforming rivals Daniel Korski (who has since dropped out) and Susan Hall.

However, Hossain’s critics point out that he has never held elected office, which could present a challenge in his bid for mayor. His campaign has also been tainted by scandal, with members of his team appearing in a controversial video filmed in December 2020, during which they breached Covid-19 restrictions. If Hossain becomes the Conservative candidate, it’s likely that incumbent mayor Sadiq Khan will use this video against him in the election.

Despite these hurdles, Hossain’s campaign is gaining attention, and his outsider status may help him stand out in what is expected to be a highly competitive race for London mayor.