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December 3, 2008 2:00:34 AM CST

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'Buffoon' Boris Takes London's Mayor Race

Posted May 3, 08 5:08 AM CDT in World 

(Newser) – Self-described "buffoon" Boris Johnson won a hard-fought race last night to become mayor of London, the Guardian reports, dealing British PM Gordon Brown's party a stunning loss in his first election test. Johnson unseated Labour incumbent Ken Livingstone 53% to 47% after a 15-hour count that ended with a conservative taking the nation's first high-profile office in more than a decade.

As Brown humbly vowed to heed voters' scathing rebuke, the often shambolic Johnson was gracious in victory, even suggesting there could still be a job for his defeated rival at City Hall. Johnson, who takes power immediately, will represent his city in Beijing this summer, when the Olympic flame is handed over for London's 2012 Games.

Sources Guardian (UK), Associated Press

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London's new mayorBoris Johnson, right, makes a speech as the outgoing mayor Labour Party candidate Ken Livingstone, left, listens after the results were announced at City Hall in London,   (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Outgoing mayor of London, the Labour Party candidate Ken Livingstone makes a speech after being defeated in the London mayoral elections by Conservative Party candidate Boris Johnson.   (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
London's new mayor Boris Johnson, left, makes a speech as the outgoing mayor Labour Party candidate Ken Livingstone, right, listens after the results were announced at City Hall in London.   (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
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Boris Johnson London Mayor Speech:Boris Johnson wins London Mayorial Election to become London Mayor in 2008   (idlefinger)

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United Kingdom • London • Labour Party • Conservative Party • Boris Johnson • Ken Livingstone • London mayoral election


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