Jennette Arnold has been elected as the new chair of the London Assembly.

At its annual meeting today (May 13), the elected body that holds London Mayor Boris Johnson to account voted for the Labour assembly member candidate who represents Hackney, Islington and Waltham Forest.

Jennette Arnold thanked the departing chair Roger Evans and said she would remain focussed on scrutinising Boris in the run-up to the Mayoral elections next May.

“There are power structures in place that want the Mayor to become a dictator, but our job is to ensure this does not happen," she said.

“There is more work to be done in preventing extremism in Waltham Forest. The area has a history of young people who have become radicalised.

"But it also has a good record of bringing people together and positive community response to the Islamaphobia that can occur.

“We are still awaiting Theresa May’s decision on water cannon, which the assembly’s view is quite clear on. 

"London streets are not fit for it and we should send it back from wherever we bought it from.

“I was chosen because as my mother would say ‘I am the best’. I am passionate about public transparency.

“I will have two jobs now but I will continue to represent my constituents in the same way.

“The bigger question is can Boris do four or five jobs? I am worried about him being an MP, a Mayor, on the Cabinet, the films on top of all the showmanship as well.”

Ms Arnold will chair the next Mayor's Question Time at City Hall on Thursday (May 21).