Sadiq Khan wins London election, becoming first Muslim mayor of major Western city - reports

Labour politician Sadiq Khan is leading the London mayoral elections. If he wins, he will become the first Muslim mayor of a major European capital.

The British-Pakistani MP for Tooting was nine points ahead of his Conservative rival, Zac Goldsmith, with the counting process almost complete.

While the turnout was 45.6 percent this year, YouGov President Peter Kellner estimated the Labour politician would win the race by around 300,000 votes, in an interview with BBC.

Nine out of the 14 constituencies in London went to Labour, with the Conservatives trailing behind with five.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn congratulated his colleague in a message on Twitter, alongside the trending hashtag #YesWeKhan.

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Jeremy Corbyn MP 

✔‎@jeremycorbyn

Congratulations @SadiqKhan. Can't wait to work with you to create a London that is fair for all! #YesWeKhan

4:00 AM - 7 May 2016

Former Labour chief Ed Miliband has predicted Khan will prove to be an “outstanding” mayor, having overcome a Tory“campaign of fear and division.”

Conservative rival Zac Goldsmith had been accused of conducting a “dirty” campaign in which he tried to associate Khan with Muslim extremists.

Former Conservative Party chairperson Sayeeda Warsi described the Tory’s bid to hold on to London’s City Hall as an“appalling dog whistle campaign” that appeared to center on race and religion.

Even Goldsmith’s sister, journalist Jemima Goldsmith, appeared to criticize his tactics.

Jemima Goldsmith 

✔‎@Jemima_Khan

Sad that Zac's campaign did not reflect who I know him to be- an eco friendly, independent- minded politician with int

egrity.

4:21 AM - 7 May 2016

An official announcement at City Hall confirming the full details of Kahn’s win is imminent.

Khan is now widely seen as the most powerful Muslim in Britain, with a budget of £17 billion to spend on the capital for policing, transport, planning and the environment.

The son of a bus driver has pledged to support businesses in London and change planning rules to help increase the number of affordable homes.

Tory MP Mark Field criticized the Goldsmith campaign in an interview with the BBC, stating: “In many ways with Zac, it felt slightly ill at ease to be putting the boot in.”

Supporters of Khan have already begun tweeting congratulations to the new mayor.

Labour MPs also praised Khan for his new role.

Meanwhile critics of Zac Goldsmith and his campaign are calling for him to resign as MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston.

https://www.rt.com/uk/342106-sadiq-khan-london-mayor/