Jenny is currently the capital’s leading road safety campaigner and has been involved in promoting many of the human scale transport initiatives which are making London a safer, cleaner and greener city.
"I’m looking forward to working with Ken and to encourage him to take up more of our policies. I would like to see congestion charging expanded to the M25,introduce 20mph as the speed limit on most London roads and scrap older polluting vehicles," said Jenny.
“Congestion charging was the first big step in getting rid of the pollution, gridlock and noise which are the downside of life in London. As Deputy Mayor I will promote the expansion of the congestion charging area, the protection of green space and the development of renewable energy in London. As the first Green Deputy Mayor I look forward to using my position to generate public debate about a wider green vision for London, as well as specific policies.”
In relation to the Mayor, Jenny is determined to praise the good, criticise the bad, and to help promote a more radical green agenda in London.
The Greens in the London Assembly have all criticised Ken’s Livingstone’s £1.5bn road building programme and his promotion of airport expansion at Stanstead and Gatwick. They have all praised Ken’s bravery at bringing in congestion charging and his rapid expansion of the bus network. They all want the Mayor to press ahead with radical measures to clean up London’s polluted air, such as implementing a Low Emission Zone as quickly as possible.
Ken Livingstone promised to rotate the Deputy Mayor position between the four political parties on the London Assembly. Nicky Gavron, as a member of the Labour group, was appointed Deputy Mayor after the elections in 2000. Ken decided against giving it to the Conservatives in 2001 and the Liberal Democrats refused the offer in 2002. It is a non executive post, but is nevertheless an influential position that can be used to promote a radical green agenda for London. Jenny is currently Ken’s Road Safety Ambassador.
Darren Johnson, Leader of the London Assembly Green Party Group said:
“I congratulate Jenny Jones on becoming the first Green Deputy Mayor of London. I’m sure that Jenny will continue to point out where Ken has got it wrong on road building, airport expansion and his pro-globalisation, London Plan. And I know that Jenny will work hard as Deputy Mayor, pushing policies which will make London a cleaner, greener place.”
ENDS