London Close to Electing Its First Muslim Mayor

(LONDON)— Labour Party politician Sadiq Khan, the son of a bus driver from Pakistan, led London's mayoral race Friday, opening a lead over Conservative rival Zac Goldsmith that left him poised to be the city's first Muslim mayor.

Labour was trounced in Scotland but lost fewer seats than many had expected elsewhere in local and regional elections that underscored Britain's political divisions.

Khan won 44 percent of first-preference votes, compared to 35 percent for Goldsmith.