Blue boris lands london mayor post

By John Hill on May 3, 2008 1:40 AM |

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Fore more Wharf election analysis, follow our reports on the Millwall by-election, City and East assembly battle and the struggle for the post of Mayor via the links.

CONSERVATIVE torch-bearer Boris Johnson has won the battle for the title of Mayor of London.

The Tory hopeful ended incumbent Ken Livingstone's eight-year reign in City Hall in a two-horse race that inspired more than two million Londoners to the polling booths.

The clash of personalities attracted a turnout of 2.4million voters, amounting to 45 per cent of the 5.4million electorate. This represented a 20 per cent rise on 2004, in which a total of 1.9million voters made the trip to the polls.

Labour's John Biggs retained his City and East seat on the London Assembly earlier in the evening, with nearly twice as many votes as Conservative challenger Phil Briscoe.

Boris scooped 1,043,761 first-choice votes in the contest, with Ken drawing 893,877 among the electorate in the 14 constituencies. While Ken gained 135,089 second-choice votes, his 1,028,966 total was defeated when Boris' 124,977 second-choice votes gave him a total of 1,168,738.

Liberal Democrat candidate Brian Paddick was a distant third with 236,685 first-choice ballots.

Boris paid tribute to his main challengers following his victory, which was announced to a throng of press and activists just before midnight on Friday (May 2).

He praised the Lib Dem candidate's "great common sense" and described departing the departing Mayor as "a very considerable public servant".

He said: "You shaped the office of Mayor and you gave it prominence, and when London was attacked on 7/7, you spoke for London.
"You've earned the thanks and admiration of millions of Londoners, even though you may think they have a funny way of showing it today."

Boris continued by pledging to convince all those that voted against him, as well as those whose "pencils wavered" before backing him with their vote.

He said: "I hope that everyone who loves this city will join in making Greater London greater still.
"Let's get cracking tomorrow, and let's have a drink tonight."

In an emotional speech, the outgoing Mayor refused to blame his party for the defeat, while re-asserting his love for the city he oversaw for two terms in office.

He said: "The Labour party worked together in an amazing and disciplined way.
"I'm sorry I couldn't get those extra percentage points that would have taken us to victory, and the fault for that is solely mine.
"I'll continue as long as I live and breathe to live in this city, to love this city and to work to make it better."

Despite a 45-minute delay caused by a troublesome printer, City and East was among the first constituencies to be called in London.

Labour's John Biggs was in bullish mood as he defended his seat by claiming 63,630 votes (34.69 per cent), with second placed Phil Briscoe collecting 32,082 votes (17.69 per cent). He achieved 29.1 per cent of the vote in 2004.

The City and East constituency also backed Ken Livingstone in the mayoral battle. Ken gained 52.2 per cent of the ballots in the area with 94,921 votes, with Boris behind on 49,666, or 27.22 per cent of the vote.

The returning assembly member said: "The people of East London have delivered a massive vote of confidence in the work of Ken Livingstone in the last few years. This may be a difficult time for the Labour party. Elections are a very powerful system and we must listen to what people are saying.
"My fundamental job is to stand up for the people of East London. We will work with the new mayor, and we will challenge him if he acts against the people of East London."

Phil Briscoe, who is also the councillor for Blackwall and Cubitt Town, said: "The campaign has reinforced my concerns about the raw deal East London gets from politicians. But the result has increased our vote by nearly 10,000 from four years ago.
"We've done our share in this area in securing a victory for Boris in City Hall."

Mayoral Election Results

First choice votes

Boris Johnson (Con) - 1,043,761
Ken Livingstone (Lab) - 893,877
Brian Paddick (Lib Dem) - 236,685
Sian Berry (Green) - 77,374
Richard Barnbrook (BNP) - 69,710
Alan Craig (Christian Choice) - 39,249
Lindsey German (Left List) - 16,796
Matt O'Connor (Eng Dem) - 10,695
Winston McKenzie (Ind) - 5,389

Second Choice

Boris Johnson (Con) - 124,977
Ken Livingstone (Lab) - 135,089

Total

Boris Johnson (Con) - 1,168,738
Ken Livingstone (Lab) - 1,028,966

City and East London Assembly votes

John Biggs (Lab) - 63,630
Phil Briscoe (Con) - 32,082
Hanif Abdulmuhit (Resp - Galloway) - 26,760
Robert Bailey (BNP) - 18,020
Rajonuddin Jalal (Lib Dem) - 13,724
Heather Finlay (Green) - 11,478
Thomas Conquest (Christian Choice) - 7,306
Michael McGough (UKIP) - 3,078
Graham Kemp (Nat Front) - 2,350
Michael Gavan (Left List) - 2,274
John Griffiths (Eng Dem) - 2,048
Julie Crawford (IND) - 701

Rejected ballots - 3,892

City and East party votes - London Assembly

Labour - 68,661
Conservative - 32,977
Respect (George Galloway) - 20,442
British National Party - 18,106
Liberal Democrats - 11,905
Green - 11,119
Christian People's Alliance - 7,419
Abolish the Congestion Charge - 4,717
UK Independence Party - 2,904
Left List - 2,121
English Democrats - 1,920
Unity for Peace and Socialism - 614
One London (Damian Hockney) - 565
Independent - 266

Rejected votes - 3,643