Council leaders in north-west London said newly elected Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer will help unite the party.

Cllr Graham Henson, leader of Harrow Council, congratulated Sir Keir on his victory and welcomed the election of Angela Rayner as deputy leader.

He said: “They have both received a huge mandate from the Labour Party membership at a time of new and unprecedented challenges facing our country.

“I am confident they will unite us together as they build a force for good and a force for change for a more equal and just society.”

He was joined by Cllr Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council, who described the party’s decision as a “great result”.

“Now we have a new leader to unite around, we can get back to work on holding the Government to account, and, once this public health emergency is behind us, we can start winning back the hearts and minds of the nation,” he said.

Three candidates were hoping to replace Jeremy Corbyn as leader and Sir Keir was Sir Keir was elected after securing more than half of the votes required in the first round.

He collected 56 per cent of the vote, with rivals Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy receiving 28 per cent and 16 per cent respectively.

Both have been appointed to the new Shadow Cabinet, with Ms Long-Bailey filling the Shadow Education Secretary slot and Ms Nandy taking up the role of Shadow Foreign Secretary.

In the race to be deputy leader, Ms Rayner was elected with 53 per cent in the third round of voting.

She was chosen ahead of Rosena Allin-Khan, who received 26 per cent, and Richard Burgon, who polled 21 per cent.