BRENT and Harrow’s Labour candidate Navin Shah says he is quietly confident as he leads the London Assembly elections with more than 90% of votes verified.

Incumbent Mr Shah holds a considerable lead over Conservative candidate Joel Davidson as the voting enters its closing stages.

And combined with Sadiq Khan’s strong showing so far in the London mayoral election, Mr Shah believes it shows his party are back to their former strength.

Mr Shah said: “Until the result is announced I don’t believe in getting carried away, whilst I’m ahead at the moment, anything can happen.

“But post-election if I am re-elected and Sadiq is, that would be a tremendous moment for Londoners because we will have a new agenda to build affordable housing, an affordable transport system.

“All the pundits who predicted a complete wipeout for Labour I am pleased it hasn’t happened and I knew it wasn’t going to.

“I think gradually everything is coming into shape we have a situation now where the London mayoral elections will give a big strong message nationally that Labour means business.

Results are still pending in the Brent and Harrow count which is taking place at Alexandra Palace but as things stand Mr Shah looks set to be re-elected, having been the become the first Indian London Assembly member in 2008.