The London Mayoral Elections - the other three
David Ershon: Gentlemen, you have two choices: Mamma Mia or Jersey Boys.
- The Other Guys
Following our article about the two main contenders for the Mayoral election, here is our take on the other three candidates, who won't win, but anyway...
Unforgivably dull on I’m a Celebrity a few years ago, Brian Paddick is back for another go in the Mayoral race, but without the excuse that he’s a previous winner. Big on law and order issues, he promises “New York-style crime reductions” (homicides in NYC approx. 500 per year, homicides in London approx. 125 per year).
Pros
His proposal for an independent police commissioner probably the right forward for the Met.
His plans to make cycling safer and improve air quality are not the most ambitious, but they are probably the most that’s achievable.
‘Part-timer’ Oyster card rates is the right solution for increasingly flexible working patterns and the one hour bus ticket is nice.
Cons
Beyond policing, his manifesto is a little light on detail, with lots of talk about “encouraging” and “promoting” things that are happening anyway.
He proposes a London version of the national plan for a “Green Investment Bank” and while it might make sense to have one for the country, one specific to London (one of the biggest capital markets in the world) is probably not the right way forward.
One of his policies is actually called “Paddick Patrols”.
In her time on Southwark Council and with the GLA, Jenny has proven herself to be a committed and effective politician, considerably smarter and more worldly than Caroline Lucas.
Pros
Pros
Prepared to use Congestion Charge to help keep fares down and discourage more polluting vehicles.
Wants to give a greater voice to small and micro businesses on the London Local Enterprise Partnership and provide better help for them to win procurement contracts.
As you might expect, she has some nice ideas for investment in green technology, including LED lighting and smart waste management centres to cut landfill.
Cons
Tough talk on reducing income inequality undercut by the lame policies intended to achieve this grand goal. Lots of talk about income, little about wealth, possibly because they know their core voters.
Perhaps surprisingly, her ideas for green spaces in London are the least inspiring of any of the major candidates.
One of her priorities is to change the planning system to guarantee we all have access to a nearby newsagent, which is the most unnecessary policy ever proposed.
The first thing Benita wants you to know is that she’s an outsider, independent of the party system. The second thing she wants you to know is that she’s worked as an insider in central government for years. Once you get past the irritating plucky outsider (not really) stuff, she’s a credible, personable candidate, who has seduced many a commentator and who would be a good ambassador for London.
Pros
Admirable commitment to state education in London and reforming access to secondary school places.
She grudgingly supports a third runway at Heathrow, which, unless the UK unilaterally signs-up to a policy that limits air travel, is the only honest position to take.
Free travel for job seekers is a good idea if it can be made to work.
Cons
A bureaucrat’s fondness for reviews (independent one on policing, Councils must survey residents’ “top five issues”) and imposing red tape of dubious benefit (‘private property MOTs’).
A civil servanty tendency to propose an audit and / or a commissioner in response to any issue. Do we really need an urban fox audit to assess the scale of the problem?
Her home – New Malden – barely counts as London in our book.
