Simon Hughes is London Mayor candidate

The Southwark Bermondsey MP won 63% of Liberal members' votes against Susan Kramer's 34%. A third candidate, Southwark-based Donnachadh McCarthy, received 3%.

Party Leader Charles Kennedy said that his party could win. "This race is wide open and we are conducting it with one objective and one objective only, and that is to win it."

The Mayor of London election takes place next year. The Labour candidate is Nicky Gavron and the Conservative is Steve Norris. Ken Livingstone will be seeking re-election as an independent.

Simon Hughes, who remains an MP, says that he will be seeking votes from those who in the past have voted Conservative, Labour and Green.