Darren promises to get tough with developers on their environmental credentials if he becomes London’s Mayor. “I want to make it compulsory for all new buildings to be fitted with solar panels if they are to gain planning permission. This is what the City Council is doing in Barcelona and we should be doing it here in London,” said Darren.
Greens believe that it is about time London woke up to the advantages of solar power and solar water heating to reduce London’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Darren Johnson concluded, “If you think that solar technology is only for sun-soaked countries, then think again. Solar power can be used anywhere from the Arctic to the Equator, supplying clean green energy. London currently uses more energy than many whole countries. We urgently need to get solar panels on as many roofs as possible.”
As a Green Mayor, Darren also wants to see:
• a £3,000 a year parking levy on company car-parking spaces
• all vital local services, such as doctors, libraries and post offices within walking distance for everyone
• a congestion charge for air traffic as well as road traffic
• a devolved "Housing for London" unit to end homelessness and tackle the housing crisis.
• The creation of 1,000 new allotment plots
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NOTES FOR EDITORS
1. Darren Johnson is 37 and was selected as the Green Party’s candidate for Mayor of London in May 2003. He was elected to the London Assembly in May 2000 where he is Leader of the Green Party Group. He was also elected to Lewisham Council in May 2002.
2. The Mayoral election will be held on June 10th next year at the same time as the elections for the London Assembly. At the last Assembly elections the Greens scored one of their best ever results in the Party’s history, securing 11.1% of the vote across London and winning three seats on the 25-member Assembly.
For further information and to arrange interviews with Darren Johnson contact: Keith Magnum on 07739 968 825
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