The most recent London borough elections took place on 6 May 2010. More than 6,000 candidates contested 1,861 seats across the 32 boroughs


While 28 boroughs use a governance system in which the councillors elect a council leader from among their numbers, four boroughs (Lewisham, Newham, Hackney and Tower Hamlets) have a different system, in which a mayor is directly-elected by the voters to lead the council. Three mayoral elections - Lewisham, Newham and Hackney - also took place on 6 May 2010 and Tower Hamlets voted in their mayor in October 2010.

The mayors;

Sir Robin Wales - Newham

Sir Steve Bullock - Lewisham

Jules Pipe - Hackney

Lutfur Rahman - Tower Hamlets

These elected mayors have overall political authority within the borough, and can appoint their own cabinet. They work closely with councillors, who continue to perform key roles in agreeing and scrutinising policy.

The Mayors are elected by the ‘supplementary vote’ system, with each elector asked to choose their first and second preference for the position.  Voters' first preferences are counted and if one candidate gets 50% of the vote, then he or she is elected.  If no candidate gains 50% of the vote, the two highest scoring candidates are recounted to determine the winner, this time including secondary votes from all other (eliminated) candidates.