This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7380947.stm

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Johnson wins London mayoral race Johnson wins London mayoral race
(30 minutes later)
Boris Johnson has won the race to become the next mayor of London - ending Ken Livingstone's eight-year reign at City Hall.Boris Johnson has won the race to become the next mayor of London - ending Ken Livingstone's eight-year reign at City Hall.
The Conservative candidate won with 1,168,738 first and second preference votes, compared with Mr Livingstone's 1,028,966. The Conservative candidate won with 1,168,738 first and second preference votes, compared with Mr Livingstone's 1,028,966 on a record turnout.
Mr Johnson thanked his family, party activists for their help in a "marathon election". He paid tribute to Mr Livingstone and appeared to offer him a possible role in his new administration.
He is expected to stand down as MP for Henley, triggering a by-election. Lib Dem Brian Paddick came third and the Greens' Sian Berry came fourth.
He paid tribute to Mr Livingstone for shaping the office of mayor and speaking for London after the 7 July bombings, saying he had the "thanks and admiration of millions of Londoners". Mr Johnson is expected to stand down as MP for Henley, triggering a by-election.
Mr Johnson's victory crowns the party's May Day local election wins in England and Wales. He said he hoped it showed the Conservatives had changed "into a party that can be trusted". 'Exuberant nerve'
In his victory speech, he described Mr Livingstone as "a very considerable public servant", adding: "You shaped the office of mayor. You gave it national prominence and when London was attacked on 7 July 2005 you spoke for London.
"And I can tell you that your courage and the sheer exuberant nerve with which you stuck it to your enemies especially in New Labour, you have thereby earned the thanks of millions of Londoners even if you think that they have a funny way of showing it today."
FIRST AND SECOND PREFERENCE VOTES Boris Johnson: 1,168,738Ken Livingstone: 1,028,966
He said he hoped to "discover a way in which the mayoralty can continue to benefit from your transparent love of London".
Mr Johnson said he would work to earn the trust of those that had opposed him, or who had hesitated before voting for him.
"I will work flat out to repay and to justify your confidence. We have a new team ready to go into City Hall.
"Where there have been mistakes we will rectify them, where there are achievements we will build on them, where there are neglected opportunities we will seize on them."
Livingstone 'sorry'
He promised to focus on crime, transport, green spaces, affordable homes and getting value for money for taxpayers.
Mr Johnson's victory crowns the Conservative Party's May Day local election wins in England and Wales.
He said he hoped it showed the party had changed "into a party that can be trusted after 30 years with the greatest, most cosmopolitan, multi-racial generous hearted city on earth".
FIRST PREFERENCE VOTES Boris Johnson (Tory): 1,043,761Ken Livingstone (Lab): 893,877Brian Paddick (Lib Dem): 236,685Sian Berry, (Green): 77,374Richard Barnbrook (BNP): 69,710Alan Craig, (Christian Choice): 39,249Lindsey German (Left List): 16,796Matt O'Connor, (Eng Democrats): 10,695Winston McKenzie (Ind): 5,389
Mr Livingstone's defeat ends what Gordon Brown has called as a "bad" day for Labour in which it suffered its worst council results for 40 years.Mr Livingstone's defeat ends what Gordon Brown has called as a "bad" day for Labour in which it suffered its worst council results for 40 years.
Mr Livingstone thanked Londoners "who have supported me today" and those who gave him their second preference votes. He thanked the Labour Party for all its help with his campaign, adding: "There is absolutely nothing that I could have asked from the Labour Party that it didn't throw into this election, from Gordon Brown right the way down to the newest recruit, handing out leaflets on very wet, cold days.
He said the Labour Party had come together "in an amazing and disciplined way" from Gordon Brown down to the newest member. "I'm sorry I couldn't get an extra few points that would take us to victory and the fault for that is solely my own. You can't be mayor for eight years and then if you don't at third term say it was somebody else's fault. I accept that responsibility and I regret that I couldn't take you to victory."
He said he was sorry he could not get the few percentage points needed to win - and said the fault "is solely my own". Conservative Party leader David Cameron praised Mr Johnson for a "serious and energetic campaign" and said his party was "winning the battle of ideas".
He thanked his staff who had helped him "restore city government" and had put London on the path to being the "greatest city of the 21st Century". Liberal Democrat candidate Brian Paddick paid tribute to Ken Livingstone as "an amazing mayor" and indicated that he would not be interested in working with Mr Johnson.
He said he would be talking to Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg about his future and what he could do for the party.