Sadiq Aman Khan, British Labour party’s former shadow justice secretary, has won the party’s nomination to run for London Mayor in next year's election.
The Tooting MP beat Tessa Jowell, the former Labour minister and race favourite, by winning 59% of the vote in the final round. Jowell secured 41% of the votes. He was also ahead of her on first preferences in the first round by 38% to 30%.
The result was announced at an event at the Royal Festival Hall in south-east London, reported a number of International news outlets.
The former human rights lawyer won after a surge in support from left-wing activists who joined the party after its general election defeat in May.
Crucially, the British-Pakistani politician had the organisational muscle of six unions who came out in support of his candidacy.
Kahn praised those who had backed him after the result, saying: “You are the lifeblood of our movement and the reason I am so confident we will win next May."
He also pledged to keep alive his supporters “ideas and energy” in the campaign ahead and said it was only thanks to the opportunities he had as a child that he became a politician.
“Looking to the future our burning ambition must be that all Londoners have the same opportunities,” he said.
Khan also beat David Lammy, MP for Tottenham, Diane Abbott, the leftwing MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, Christian Wolmar, the transport writer and activist, and Gareth Thomas, MP for Harrow West, who wanted to devolve more economic powers to London.
The Conservatives have yet to choose their candidate, but it is expected to be Zac Goldsmith, the wealthy environmentalist and MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston.
The election for the new London Mayor will be held next May, with Boris Johnson stepping down after two terms in the post.
In previous London mayoral elections, the efficient Labour machine got the vote in inner London but was unable to overcome strong Conservative support in the suburbs.