Who should be the next mayor of London? Can anybody help me decide who to vote for tomorrow – the 2nd May 2024? I have no clear choice out of the 13 candidates (although there are obviously quite a few that I wouldn’t touch with a bargepole). I’m not sure there’s one that I agree with wholeheartedly on every policy – but that’s quite normal. We most definitely need someone to help with reducing knife crime, with policing in general, with ensuring women are safer on the streets, with creating social spaces for teenagers (bring back youth clubs and boxing rings), with sorting out the prisons and ensuring more ex-prisoners get training and jobs. Also free ice cream and champagne to everyone on Sunday’s.
Will my vote make a difference anyway when it’s widely predicted to be Sadiq Khan for the third term? (another four years). Is there tactical voting to be done so that he can include a better Green manifesto for example? It’s the first time we’ve relied on a First Past The Post voting system which could make a difference. I know we’re all supposed to care, but there are a lot of people out there who don’t seem to even be aware it’s happening….not sure why that is. But of course I’ll vote, how can we squander an opportunity like that and what would happen if we all thought like that and didn’t bother to show up?
Anyway, I’ve done a bit of research – not much, but here’s a top-line summary if you can’t be arsed to go through them yourself:-
ROB BLACKIE – LIB DEM
He’s into elephant conservation (also a passion of mine) and an anti-Brexit campaigner. He wants to fix the Met and this is mainly on his agenda because he was violently mugged in the past and has a new titanium neck as a result. Wants buses to be able to be flagged down for safety after 10pm.
ZOE GARBETT – GREEN
She’s an NHS administrator and Green councillor in Hackney. Articulate with pink hair. Target of zero murders in ten years and free bus travel for the under 22’s and asylum seekers. Permanently close Hammersmith Bridge to cars (it’s been permanently closed for about 5 years already to cars – not sure what is being done about it anyway).
SADIQ KHAN – LABOUR
By all accounts, safe, fair and green (ish) so says his strong lead in the national opinion polls. Obviously introduced Ulez and wants to make free school meals permanent. Wants to end homelessness, but since 2016 people living on the streets has gone up by 71% – how does he propose to do that?
SUSAN HALL – CONSERVATIVE
Got a few skeletons in her Twitter activity apparently regarding racism. She’s a grandmother who wants to scrap Ulez and pay per mile on day one. This will be a popular policy for her. Not sure how she plans to find the £150 million TFL have generated in the last 9 months because of it though.
FEMY AMIN – ANIMAL WELFARE
She came to the UK as a teenage Afghan refugee and is a health care professional. Focused on tackling the most serious crimes “holistically” (not sure that’s a thing?) and free school meals.
COUNT BINFACE – INDEPENDENT
Practically a staple of London’s elections these days – wants to change the name of London Bridge to Phoebe Waller Bridge. He’s a satirical political candidate who wears a bin on his head – created by comedian Jonathan David Harvey in 2018 and he describes himself as “an intergalactic space warrior”.
NATALIE CAMPBELL – INDEPENDENT
Didn’t get chosen as the conservative candidate so going it alone. CEO of a water company and chancellor of Westminster University. More services and centres for young people and “neighbourhood centres.” Will put the speed limit back up to 30mph and pledged to end youth homelessness.
HOWARD COX – REFORM UK (PREVIOUSLY THE BREXIT PARTY
Party founded by Nigel Farage. He will immediately scrap ULEZ and get rid of Khan.
AMY GALLAGHER – SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY
She’s an NHS nurse and whistleblower – currently involved in high profile litigation against two private clinics. An end to gang violence and knife crime in London and bring more police back on to the streets.
TARUN GHULATI – INDEPENDENT
Investment banker who wants to abolish ULEZ immediately and transform roads. Increase police presence and more police stations.
ANDREAS MICHLI – INDEPENDENT
He’s a gym owner in Haringey who wants to provide free gym memberships for all Londoners as well as scrap ULEZ.
BRIAN ROSE – THE LONDON REAL PARTY
Fighting for freedom of speech and freedom’s in general.
NICK SCANLON – BRITAIN FIRST
“Say no to immigration” – a far right candidate and a British fascist and Neo fascist political party and hate group formed by former members of the BNP.
