London’s new Labour Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has vowed to be a “mayor for all Londoners” calling his win a “victory for hope over fear and for unity over division”.
Mr Khan was formally declared the new Mayor of London shortly after midnight at City Hall last night.
The new Mayor took back London for the Labour Party after eight years with a massive 1,310,143 votes, first and second preference to Tory rival Zac Goldsmith’s 994,614.
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In a statement put out after his victory Mr Khan said: “Today was an amazing victory for hope over fear and for unity over division – and it simply would not have been possible without your help.
“This victory is not about me. It's about the millions of Londoners whose lives we can improve by building more affordable homes, freezing fares, restoring community policing and cleaning up our toxic air.
“Thanks to the time, money and support you gave, we were able to overcome a desperate and nasty Tory campaign. We've sent a strong message that the politics of fear are not welcome in London.
“Now the hard work starts. Let's make London even better for all Londoners.”
He promised to "always be a mayor for all Londoners".
Mr Khan was ahead in the polls throughout the campaign, and early indications on count day put him at least 10 points ahead of his Conservative rival.
Mr Goldsmith congratulated Mr Khan on his win, adding: “I wish him well as he sets out to build on the successes we've seen under Boris Johnson.
“I want to thank everyone across London who has made this election run - relatively - smoothly.
“But above all I want to thank the hundreds of thousands of people who trusted me with their votes.
“I'm disappointed of course by the result, and that I won't be able to deliver a manifesto that I'm proud of.
“A plan to make London the cleanest and greenest city in the world, to keep our city moving and growing, and to keep our city safe.”
Labour has taken 12 seats in City Hall, including an upset in Merton and Wandsworth, which had been Conservative since 2000.
In 2012, Boris Johnson received a total of 1,054,811 votes, made up of 971,931 first preference and 82,880 second preferences.
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