IT is one of the biggest jobs in UK politics and the winner will play a major role in setting the political and economic agenda.

But the race for London mayor has been mired in accusations of racism and religious tensions.

If the polls are correct, Labour’s Sadiq Khan will succeed Boris Johnson on Thursday, with a lead of as much as 20 percentage points despite allegations that the former human rights lawyer has links to Islamist terrorism.

However, Tory candidate Zac Goldsmith is fighting hard to win over voters with a campaign which targets the city’s Tamil and Indian communities.

The men come from very different backgrounds, with Khan the son of a bus driver and Goldsmith raised in a mansion, but have the same aim – to lead the 25 seat London Assembly.

Goldsmith has described Khan as “radical” and “dangerous”, and in turn been accused of inflaming tensions in a city home to more than 1 million Muslims.

Yesterday critics were using the Twitter hashtag #nastyzac to express their distaste for the Tory’s campaign, which includes a claim that Khan may endanger public safety.

Writing in the Mail on Sunday, Goldsmith said: “The number one job of any mayor of London is to keep our city safe. Yet if Labour wins on Thursday, we will have handed control of the Met, and with it control over national counter-terrorism policy, to a party whose candidate and current leadership have, whether intentionally or not, repeatedly legitimised those with extremist views.”

Former Tory Foreign Office minister Sayeeda Warsi questioned whether her party’s candidate is “fighting to destroy” or win, while Khan accused Goldsmith of running a “nasty, dog-whistling campaign” against him.

The dispute between the high profile candidates has pushed some other hopefuls into the shadows.

However, actress Emma Thompson yesterday urged voters to back Women’s Equality Party leader Sophie Walker for the top job, which was established in 2000 and has since then been held by only Johnson and Labour’s Ken Livingstone.

Meanwhile, transport campaigner and councillor Sian Berry aims to build on Green votes with plans to establish a renters’ union to tackle high living costs in the city and revamp transport fees.

Lib Dem hopeful Caroline Pidgeon also pledges cheaper transport, while Ukip’s Peter Whittle has raised concerns about the impact of EU immigration on housing in the 8.6m-strong capital.

According to the polls, Respect’s George Galloway is unlikely to make the breakthrough he needs to secure power in London, with one survey putting him at zero per cent.

Meanwhile, the British National Party, Britain First, Cannabis is Safer than Alcohol and the One Love Party are also fielding candidates, with independent John Zylinski also fighting for votes.

Yesterday voter Marie Campbell, who moved to London from Glasgow for work, said: “Londoners are definitely talking about this election. It’s felt like quite a negative campaign so far – Sadiq and Zac clearly can’t stand each other and some of the attacks have gotten quite personal.

“It’s not very edifying but division and bad blood don’t feel that out of place in this mega city where the super rich are getting richer and it’s getting harder and harder for most people to get by.

“For me, the most urgent job for the new mayor is tackling the housing shortage. Rents are out of control and whether the answer is building more homes, a rent cap or both, something needs to change.

“Then there’s transport. Under Boris, bus and tube fares went up year after year. People are pushed further into outer London because of rent prices and then they struggle to pay their weekly commute costs.

“Finally, air pollution in London is above legal levels. The new mayor should implement an ultra low emissions zone in right across the city so we can all breathe safe, clean air.”