The governing Labour Party in Britain has been defeated in the election for Mayor of London. Setting the seal on its worst performance in local elections for more than 40 years, the veteran left winger Ken Livingstone who's been mayor since the job was created in 2000 was defeated by Boris Johnson of the main opposition Conservative Party. The new mayor believes his victory proves his party has changed.

"I do not for one minute believe, that this election shows that London has been transformed in overnight into a conservative city. But I do hope, it does show that the Conservatives have changed into a party that can again be trusted after 30 years, with the greatest, most cosmopolitan, multiracial generous-hearted city on earth, in which there are huge and growing divisions between rich and poor."