Tackling crime and improving transport are two key pledges made by Merton's new London Assembly member Richard Tracey.

Mr Tracey, who was chosen as the representative for Merton and Wandsworth in last week's election, joins the city's new mayor and fellow Conservative Boris Johnson in the Assembly .

He said: "The first priority has to be the safety of people on the streets, and I will do what I can about the policing of London."

He also promised to campaign for better bus routes in Merton and an increased service on the Northern Line.

Mr Johnson took 42 per cent of votes in the mayoral contest last week, while Labour's Ken Livingstone could only manage 36 per cent.

And Mr Tracey claimed that London's new boss has what it takes to transform the capital.

"I've always got on well with Boris - he has got a sense of humour and he is very honest and up front," he said.

He added that Mr Johnson would deliver better value for money by tackling the "ludicrous amounts spent on advertising and propaganda at City Hall".

In the Merton and Wandsworth assembly elections Mr Tracey took 44 per cent of the vote, ahead of Labour's Leonie Cooper on 29 per cent and the Liberal Democrats' Shas Sheehan on 10 per cent.

The turnout for the constituency last Thursday was 170,962, or 46 per cent of eligible voters. Although this is an increase of almost 40,000 against the last London elections, the voting process did not go smoothly everywhere.

Voters complained after a polling station at St Mark's Secondary in Mitcham was moved from the school hall into a tent in the playing fields because of a lack of space. Some claimed that the muddy ground meant the new location was hard to get to.

A council spokesman said: "Merton always aims to put the needs of its residents first and regrets that the polling station was difficult for some to reach."

London Assembly results for Merton and Wandsworth:

  • Richard Tracey, Conservative Party: 75,103 votes 43.93% (26,293 majority)
  • Leonie Cooper, The Labour Party: 48,810 votes 28.55%
  • Shas Sheehan, Liberal Democrats: 17,187 votes 10.05%
  • Roy Vickery, Green Party: 14,124 votes 8.26% Strachan McDonald, UK Independence Party: 4,286 votes 2.51%
  • Ellen Greco, Christian Peoples Alliance and Christian Party: 4,053 votes 2.37%
  • Steve Scott, English Democrats: 2,160 votes 1.26%
  • Kris Stewart, Left List: 1,714 votes 1%