London voters oust Red Ken

THE mayor who introduced the congestion charge in London has been voted out of office.

Voters turned on Labor's Ken Livingston, known by his critics as Red Ken, who had promised to increase the congestion charge for "gas guzzling" vehicles to $52 a day. Conservative Boris Johnson, who was the clear victor in the mayoral race held last week, said he would reform the congestion charge, which stands at $16.50 per day for most cars. Both candidates promised increased spending on bus services and cycling infrastructure.