After Zac Goldsmith asked his constituents’ permission to run for Mayor of London in a postal vote, the numbers are in:

YES: 15,802 79%

NO: 3569 18%

Don’t Know: 503 2%

Spoilt: 16 

77,071 ballots sent out, 19,890 came before deadline. 25.8% turnout.

Zac is in the race.

UPDATE: Zac speaks:

“I am hugely grateful to the residents of Richmond Park and North Kingston for taking part in the ballot, and am overwhelmed by the mandate they have given me to run for Mayor… Having just been given the green light to run by my constituents, I have a lot of work to do to earn selection as the Conservative Party candidate for Mayor. I will work tirelessly to repay my constituents’ loyalty and to gain the trust of Londoners so we can make London an even greater and more liveable city.”

UPDATE II:

Big coup for Zac Goldsmith's campaign as former MP @nickdebois signs up as his campaign chairman. Had been thought de Bois would run himself

— James Forsyth (@JGForsyth) June 23, 2015

*Who expressed a preference.