Boris Johnson takes over as Mayor of London after poll win

Conservative Boris Johnson was sworn in Saturday as the new Mayor of London following an election win that ended the eight-year rule of Ken Livingstone, his Labour predecessor, dpa reported.

Johnson, 43, will be the first Conservative mayor of cosmopolitan London since the post of a directly-elected mayor was created in 2000.

The position combines considerable political and financial power over municipal affairs with the chance for the incumbent to stamp his personal mark on the cosmopolitan city of 7 million.

Johnson's rule over the next four years will be crucial in the run-up to London's hosting of the 2012 Olympic Games.

He has listed transport improvements and the fight against crime, especially youth knife crime, among his priorities.

His administration in City Hall will be controlled by a 25-strong parliament, the London Assembly.

Election results revealed that turnout was at a record high of 45 per cent, which meant that 2.5 million Londoners voted.

Analysis showed that Livingstone gained more votes than during elections four years ago, but the increased turnout secured victory for Johnson.

The Conservatives will have a majority of 11 seats in the assembly, followed by Labour with 8, the Liberals with 3, the Green Party with 2 seats and one for the right-wing British National Party (BNP).

It is the first time that the BNP, an openly racist, anti- immigration party, has passed the 5-per cent voter threshold across London.