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The London Federation of Green Parties has announced the four key policies on which the Conservative and Labour candidates for Mayor of London will have to give ground if Sian Berry is to consider endorsing either of them for her second preference votes on 5 May.
She will ask them to call a halt to road building, airport expansion and enforced council estate demolitions, and to reduce London’s inequality.
No Mayor of London has ever won a majority vote on first preferences and in three of the four previous elections the Green Party elected to recommend its supporters back Ken Livingstone – as an Independent in 2000 and as the Labour candidate in 2008 and 2012 – for second preference.
This time round, the body has mandated Sian Berry to open talks with Sadiq Khan and Zac Goldsmith on the four key policy areas. Depending on the progress of these discussions, it will take a further vote in April and decide which, if any, candidate, to endorse as second choice.
In a statement following its meeting tonight, the Federation said:
“Greens in London want positive change and a Green Mayor is the best way to deliver that. But Londoners will be able to give two Mayoral candidates their support, and to elect more Greens to the London Assembly. The next Mayor could do a lot to tackle air pollution, climate change and housing, but he or she could also make the situation far worse. We are putting down four red lines, requiring Zac Goldsmith and Sadiq Khan to rule out any major road building, airport expansion or enforced council estate demolitions, as well as to make a clear commitment to reducing inequality. That could clear the way for the party to make a strong recommendation of support next month.”
Sian Berry said:
“The Greens have grown in strength and experience over 16 years and I think our policies stand alone. We’re the only party that will say no to big road building, airport expansion and forced estate demolition. I’m sure my supporters will have their own thoughts about who, if anyone, will get their second preference. But I will now be seeking answers from Sadiq Khan and Zac Goldsmith on theses questions to see if either of them merit the party’s formal endorsement.”
The full text of the motion is:
The London Federation of Green Parties shall consider whether or not to endorse a second preference in the Mayoral contest at its April general meeting, based upon the leading candidates’ positions on key policies, in particular four red lines:
(1) opposition to any expansion of London’s airports in view of our climate change and air pollution emergencies;
(2) opposition to major road building projects, which increase traffic and pollution;
(3) no estate demolition to be forced on communities, and practical support for estates under threat;
(4) a clear commitment to reducing London’s inequality.