MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Local elections were held in the United Kingdom on Thursday, enjoying the highest-ever voter turnout. According to local media, citing the elections results, Khan received 57 percent of the votes beating Tory candidate Zac Goldsmith who got 43 percent.
"My name is Sadiq Khan, I am the Mayor of London," the new mayor told supporters during a multi-faith service in London’s Southwark Cathedral, as quoted by the Sky News television channel.
Several high-profile figures attended the event, including former Labour leader Ed Miliband and actor Ian McKellen. Jeremy Corbyn, the current leader of the center-left party, was notably missing from the ceremony.
"I never dreamt I could be standing here today as Mayor of London. I promise you I will always do everything in my power to make our city better," Khan pledged.
Khan, 45, comes from a family of a Pakistani bus driver. Goldsmith’s campaign focused on Khan’s family background, trying to brand the former state minister for transport, also the first Muslim to hold the post, as well as the first Asian, as a supporter of Muslim extremists.
Khan is succeeding the Conservatives’ Boris Johnson; his victory ends eight years of Conservative control of City Hall.
