Keith Prince called his win today a result of the ‘hands of God’ after a nail-bitingly close finish at Havering and Redbridge.
The former Leader of Redbridge Council beat Labour rival Ivana Bartoletti by just 1,438 votes, winning 64,483 of the votes overall.
The pair dominated the election with a gap of more than 36,000 votes before Lawrence Webb came in third for UKIP.
“It’s been very hard work. I placed it in the hands of God and it came through,” Mr Prince said.
“I’m a Havering and Redbridge boy. I am Havering and Redbridge. I care about them and I want the best for them.”
The 57-year-old was born in Elm Park and lived in Romford until he was 28, with his children now raised and educated in Redbridge.
He currently works as a non-executive advisor to Stephen Greenhalgh, the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime and is a councillor at Redbridge, having previously served at Havering and Gidea Park ward.
“People will understand that for me it’s all about doing more for Havering and Redbridge than a step up on the political ladder,” Mr Prince said.
On talking about the future, he said he cannot wait to get to City Hall tomorrow to sort out all the ‘bits and bobs’.
“Housing is very important and the green belt is very important. I want to try and do something for the black cabs as well,” the father-of-three said.
The result today was also close for Lib Dem candidate Ian Sanderson and the Green Party’s Lee Burkwood, coming in fourth and fifth.
“My priority is definitely going to be getting in into Havering and Redbridge, working with the Burroughs, working with the mayor, to get what’s best for the area,” Mr Prince said.
“Hopefully because I am conservative I will be able to work with the government to help those boroughs to get the best they possibly can.”
