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Johnson signs on for mayor's job Mayor Johnson vows to cut crime
(40 minutes later)
Boris Johnson has pledged to tackle the "scourge" of minor crime on London's transport system as a key priority in his new role as mayor of the city.Boris Johnson has pledged to tackle the "scourge" of minor crime on London's transport system as a key priority in his new role as mayor of the city.
After signing the declaration of office at City Hall, Mr Johnson said it was time to put ideological rancour aside and focus on improving quality of life.After signing the declaration of office at City Hall, Mr Johnson said it was time to put ideological rancour aside and focus on improving quality of life.
He also vowed to "have an administration that looks after taxpayers' value".He also vowed to "have an administration that looks after taxpayers' value".
The Conservative candidate defeated the Labour incumbent Ken Livingstone.The Conservative candidate defeated the Labour incumbent Ken Livingstone.
Mr Johnson won with 1,168,738 first and second preference votes, compared with Labour's Mr Livingstone, who had 1,028,966 on a record turnout of 45%. Mr Johnson won with 1,168,738 first and second preference votes, compared with Mr Livingstone's 1,028,966 on a record turnout of 45%.
He paid tribute to Mr Livingstone and appeared to offer him a possible role in his new administration.
Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick came third and the Greens' Sian Berry came fourth.Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick came third and the Greens' Sian Berry came fourth.
Mr Johnson is expected to stand down as MP for Henley, triggering a by-election.
'Exuberant nerve'
In his victory speech, he described Mr Livingstone as "a very considerable public servant".
FIRST AND SECOND PREFERENCE VOTES Boris Johnson: 1,168,738Ken Livingstone: 1,028,966 Boris' win: reaction quotesAnalysis: Boris's big winThe Boris Johnson Story
He added: "You shaped the office of mayor. You gave it national prominence and when London was attacked on 7 July 2005 you spoke for London."
Mr Johnson also paid tribute to his "courage and the sheer exuberant nerve with which you stuck it to your enemies, especially in New Labour".
Mr Johnson told Mr Livingstone he hoped to "discover a way in which the mayoralty can continue to benefit from your transparent love of London".
Mayoral voting by constituencyMayoral voting by constituency
He said he would work to earn the trust of those that had opposed him, or who had hesitated before voting for him. In a brief speech to supporters at City Hall, Mr Johnson quipped that he was certain there were "shredding machines quietly puffing and panting away" throughout the building as his Labour predecessor prepared to move out.
Mr Johnson officially takes over as mayor at midnight on Sunday but began his policing and transport briefings immediately after signing the declaration of office.
Both Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair and transport commissioner Peter Hendy were on hand for Mr Johnson's inaugural speech.
Elected on what he described as "a very, very clear series of manifestos", Mr Johnson said he would waste no time in implementing his wide-ranging agenda.
'Unite London'
Key priorities include making public transport safer.
"I think [buses] could be safer and I think there is a vital necessity to drive out minor crime and disorder," Mr Johnson said.
Just hours after yet another teenager was stabbed to death in the city, he said he would use the resources of the mayor's office to address youth violence.
"I think this problem of kids growing up without boundaries and getting lost in tragic and self-destructive choices is the number one issue we face in this city.
FIRST AND SECOND PREFERENCE VOTES Boris Johnson: 1,168,738Ken Livingstone: 1,028,966 Boris' win: reaction quotesAnalysis: Boris's big winThe Boris Johnson Story
"It is the job of me as mayor to lead the fight back against it and that is what I want to do and I hope you will all join me in doing it."
Other items on his agenda include revisiting the controversial congestion charging policies in central and west London, building 50,000 more homes, increasing river transport options and amending the London Plan to ensure back garden space is protected from development.
Mr Johnson said his new job included the need to build bridges with communities.
"It is vital for a mayor of London to bring people together, and to unite London, and to serve every community in London impartially."
Livingstone praised
In his earlier victory speech, Mr Johnson praised Mr Livingstone for his public service.
"You shaped the office of mayor. You gave it national prominence and when London was attacked on 7 July 2005 you spoke for London."
He acknowledged that many voters had second thoughts about backing him before casting their votes and said he would work to earn the trust of those that had opposed him.
"I will work flat out to repay and to justify your confidence. We have a new team ready to go into City Hall."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.""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 by promoting 24-hour policing, transport, including promoting cycling, 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.
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): 39,249Gerard Batten (UKIP): 22,422Lindsey German (Left List): 16,796Matt O'Connor (Eng Democrats): 10,695Winston McKenzie (Ind): 5,389 Livingstone's highs and lowsFIRST 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): 39,249Gerard Batten (UKIP): 22,422Lindsey German (Left List): 16,796Matt O'Connor (Eng Democrats): 10,695Winston McKenzie (Ind): 5,389 Livingstone's highs and lows
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". Mr Livingstone arrived at City Hall before Mr Johnson's speech and told reporters he was only in to "clear out my desk".
Mr Livingstone's defeat ended what Gordon Brown called a "bad" day for Labour, in which it suffered its worst council results for 40 years. After the results were announced he said the Labour party had worked hard on his behalf and accepted responsibility for his own defeat.
Asked by the BBC what his views were on the poor Labour showing, Mr Johnson said: "The smart thing for Labour to do would be to quietly to remove Gordon Brown and install [Foreign Secretary David] Miliband, is my view, but I don't think they'll do it." Tory leader David Cameron praised Mr Johnson for a "serious and energetic campaign" and said his party was "winning the battle of ideas".
In his speech after the result was declared at City Hall, Mr Livingstone thanked the Labour Party for all its help with his campaign. Liberal Democrat candidate Brian Paddick paid tribute to Ken Livingstone and indicated he would not be interested in working with Mr Johnson.
Ken Livingstone accepts electoral responsibility Mr Johnson is expected to stand down as MP for Henley, triggering a by-election.
"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.
"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."
However, Justice Secretary Jack Straw said Labour as a whole should shoulder the blame for Mr Livingstone's loss.
He told BBC News: "I disagree with Ken in one particular only, that we all share the responsibility for the defeat that he suffered yesterday."
Mr Straw admitted that the row over the 10p tax rate had left some voters "understandably very upset".
The government would get behind Londoners' decision at the polls, he added.
Conservative Party leader David Cameron praised Mr Johnson for a "serious and energetic campaign" and said his party was "winning the battle of ideas".
David Cameron celebrates as Johnson's win is announced
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.
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