Tooting MP Sadiq Khan was named as Labour’s London mayoral candidate this afternoon.
Khan won every round of voting to beat favourite Tessa Jowell to the nomination.
The South West London MP for Tooting said he was “deeply humbled” to be chosen.
He said if he wins next year he would stand down as Tooting MP, meaning a by-election is possible for the marginal seat.
Mr Khan, a former shadow justice secretary, beat Tessa Jowell, Diane Abbott, Gareth Thomas, Christian Wolmar and David Lammy in the race.
Speaking after the result, he said: “I never dreamed that I would be standing here as your candidate for mayor and I’m only here because of the opportunities London gave me and my family – a safe and affordable council home, so my parents could save for a home of their own; a fantastic state school education for me and my brothers and sister; university education based on the grades we had rather than our means.”
Mr Khan has campaigned on combating high rents, establishing a London living wage and bringing more rail services under TfL control.
He hopes to become Labour’s first London Mayor since Ken Livingstone.
A poll by Survation last month tipped him to be the most likely candidate to win against Conservative Mayoral hopeful Zac Goldsmith, by a margin of 13 per cent.
During the first round of voting, Mr Khan secured 32,926 votes (37.5 per cent), a clear 6,805 votes ahead of his main rival, Tessa Jowell who received 26,121 (29.7 per cent). By the final round, however, Mr Khan’s share increased to 58.9 per cent next to Dame Jowell’s 41.1 per cent.
In third place of the first round of voting was Dianne Abbot with 14,798 (16.8 per cent) and David Lammy came fourth with 8,255 (9.4 per cent).
Of the 114,839 people eligible to vote in the ballot, 87,954 cast their vote.
Mr Khan has backed Jeremy Corbyn to be the next leader of the Labour party, a result to be announced tomorrow morning.
