Wharf election analysis - boris takes city hall

By 11pm, all the sandwiches had disappeared from the City Hall canteen, and news networks from around the country were packed into the ninth floor media centre, desperately exercising their maths muscles by scanning the banks of electoral screens around the room.

Rumours suggested the result may not emerge until the early hours, but just before midnight a booming tannoy summoned the throng to the chamber for the night's big announcement.

Boris Johnson took the crown as expected. His 1,043,791 first-choice votes gave him a clear lead over Mr Livingstone with 893,877, and the incumbent could not claw back the advantage in the second-choice vote face-off, despite beating Mr Johnson by 135,089 to 124,977.

In an election which attracted 2.4million voters, Mr Johnson was the winner by 1,168,738 votes to 1,028,966. The contest had drawn 2.4million voters, up on 1.9million from last year.

Speech highlights

Boris Johnson accepted the honour with a nod to the previous incumbent. The Conservative victor 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."
He pledged 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."

A noticeably emotional Ken Livingstone composed himself to thank the Labour party for supporting him, while blaming himself for the loss of the mayoral post.
He said: "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 would like to thank Londoners for letting me serve as Mayor for the last eight year. It's been an amazing experience. I'll try to help the new administration in any way that I can.
"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.

Third-placed Brian Paddick also hailed Mr Livingstone's spell in office. The Liberal Democrat nominee, who gained 236,685 votes, said: "He has been an amazing Mayor over the last eight years. I'm sorry this hasn't been the result we'd hoped for, but the party had some good results nationally.
"I will continue to speak out about things I am passionate about, and to speak on behalf of Londoners."

Sian Berry thanked all the voters who helped the Green party achieve fourth place, with 77,374 votes. She said: "I'd like to thank everyone who voted for us, and put their faith in a greener London.
"It's been a tough election for anyone who isn't in the Conservative or Labour party, but I think we've held our own."

The appearance of British National Party candidate Richard Barnbrook sparked a mass exodus from the chamber. The fifth-placed candidate, with 69,710 votes, slammed the attacks on him by "the gutter press" and vowed to fight his corner as a member of the London Assembly. He said: "The majority that fund this city get the lowest return for the money they put in."

The Christian People's Alliance candidate Alan Craig was sixth with 39,249 votes. He said: 'I'm very proud to live in London, in our diverse city.
"It does nobody any good when fear and anger are perpetrated by certain individuals. It's been a great campaign and it's been a privilege to be part of it."

Gerard Batten of the UK Independence Party (22,422 votes) stoked up a war of words with heckling BNP supporters in the gallery.
He said: "It's a disgrace to London that so many have chosen to vote for a neo-Nazi party. People say it's the fear of the unknown, but it's actually about anger at the known.
"It's because of indiscriminate and uncontrolled immigration. Until that problem is addressed we're going to see the rise of the far right parties."

Left List candidate Lindsey German (16,796 votes) did not speak, and English Democrat Matt O'Connor (10,695) had withdrawn from the race earlier this year.

Last-placed independent candidate Winston McKenzie (5,389) hoped to see the new Mayor continue the "good work" of Ken Livingstone, although he added it was "not all good". The South Quay-based hopeful said: "I hope the new Mayor will take into account the fact that children are dying out there on the streets. The situation is dire and it must be addressed now.
"We should put racial issues aside. Let's work together and build a greater nation that what we have now."