Harrow Council elected a new leader last night, despite attempts from the opposition party to sabotage the procession.

Cllr Graham Henson will lead the council for four years after he defeated former leader Cllr Sachin Shah, who, despite also being from the Labour Group, was nominated by Conservative leader Cllr Paul Osborn.

Cllr Shah made it clear that he did not wish to stand against his proposed successor but the borough’s new mayor, Cllr Kareema Marikar, insisted that a vote take place.

Deputy Conservative leader Cllr Marilyn Ashton, who seconded Cllr Shah’s nomination, said it was “typical” of Harrow Labour to cast aside their leader so soon after an election victory.

“We are concerned about this and think it is morally indefensible against somebody who has worked so hard and to whom the Labour Group owes so much,” she said.

“The person who delivered a very successful election has been ditched – knifed – just days after that.

“People voted on what [Cllr Shah] had said, and he had his fingerprints all over their manifesto.”

But the outgoing leader has firmly supported Cllr Henson and described him as “fantastic” when declaring his vote for him.

Cllr Henson, who secured the leadership by a majority of eight votes, said he was “humbled and honoured” to have been placed in the role.

He said he was looking forward to the responsibility over the next four years but made no attempt to hide the likely struggles ahead.

“We are taking on a massive community responsibility,” he said. “This is not an easy position to hold, particularly in a time of austerity and cuts.

“We have to be honest about our financial future and there are challenges for us ahead.

“But we want to make [Harrow] a place where all residents feel safe and a place where they want to live.”

Cllr Osborn congratulated Cllr Henson on his achievement and promised to “work with him” on issues they agree on and “fearlessly” hold him to account on those they do not.

The annual full council meeting also saw the announcement of the new cabinet, with Cllr Varsha Parmar taking on the new leader’s previous responsibility of environment.

Cllr Keith Ferry, deputy leader of the council, will manage planning and regeneration, Cllr Simon Brown will deal with public health, and Cllr Sue Anderson will be responsible for community engagement.

Finance was handed to Cllr Adam Swersky, Cllr Phillip O’Dell will take on housing, and Cllr Christine Robson was placed in charge of schools and young people.

Cllr Antonio Weiss was named the non-executive member of the cabinet and Cllr Krishna Suresh assumes a newly-created role looking at crime and community cohesion.