Sadiq Khan has been re-elected as London mayor for a historic third term, beating the Tories' Susan Hall.
The Labour incumbent secured just over 1,088,000 votes, a majority of some 275,000.
The result means he has won with an increased majority, having beaten Shaun Bailey by 4.7 per cent in the first round and 10.4 per cent in the second round in 2021.
Earlier today, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he was confident Khan could win a third term as the Labour mayor of London.
Sadiq Khan has been re-elected as London mayor for a historic third term, beating the Tories' Susan Hall
PA
Speaking to reporters in Mansfield, he said: “Sadiq Khan was absolutely the right candidate. He has got two terms of delivery behind him and I am confident that he has got another term of delivery in front of him.
“But look, if you look across the country, I am standing here in Mansfield in the East Midlands where we have won a significant victory in the mayoralty here, but that is the pattern across the country.
“We have been winning in Blackpool in a by-election with a 26 per cent swing, we have won in York and North Yorkshire, true blue Tory territory, and here in the East Midlands where there are very many constituencies that matter hugely in that general election.
“All of this is done with a purpose. I want a Labour Government to serve our country.
“This is effectively the last stop on the journey to the general election and I am really pleased to be able to show we are making progress, we have earned the trust and confidence of voters and we are making progress towards that general election.”
Earlier today, the odds were slashed for a Sadiq Khan defeat after low turnout figures in key London Labour strongholds increased speculation that the race could be closer than expected.
Before polls opened, Susan Hall was more than ten points behind the incumbent London Mayor.
Yesterday morning, Khan's odds were at 1/25, according to Betfair. But this morning, he was down to 1/10.
While Susan Hall, whose odds were 19/1 yesterday morning, was at 7/1 today.
Turnout on Thursday's election was down in all seven constituencies which saw the Labour mayor poll more first preference votes than his Tory rival Shaun Bailey in 2021.
These include the constituencies of North East and City and East, where Khan gained more than 100,000 votes in each at the last election.
Of the seven constituencies where the Tories recieved more first preference votes in 2021, turnout was up this year in three.
Just hours before polls closed, Sadiq Khan admitted that the Tory Party's chances of winning had "skyrocketed".
The incumbent Mayor of London warned supporters that turnout for the elections appeared to be low.