The Green Party’s Zoë Garbett launched her campaign to become London Mayor this week, outlining key policies at an event in Bethnal Green.
She hopes to build on the strong performance by Siân Berry in 2021 (who placed third in the race for City Hall), with a victory that would block Labour’s Sadiq Khan from another term in office.
Of course, it won’t be easy, especially following the government’s decision to replace the long-used Supplementary Vote system with First Past the Post – which the Greens have previously called to retire.
Earlier this month, Khan attempted to use this regrettable development to frighten Garbett’s supporters into sending their votes in his direction. However, the Green candidate offered a persuasive counter.
She told The Independent: “If people want to vote Green, they can – and should! The Green Party has consistently come third in London and we are a growing force nationally.
“A Green mayor would be much more ambitious tackling the issues that really matter to voters: dealing with the housing crisis, making our city more affordable and a more accountable police service.
Garbett added: “Sadiq Khan should be focusing on his record – and the fact he isn’t suggests there isn’t much to be talking about. If he wants people to vote for him, he and the Labour Party need to be better.”
Read on for more details on why Zoë Garbett is the right choice for London on Thursday 2nd May – and how you can help her campaign.
Why should I vote Zoë Garbett for London Mayor?
Residents of London know all too well how expensive it is to live here – a problem exacerbated in recent years by the rising cost of everything from food and energy to transport and private renting.
If elected as mayor, Zoë Garbett would make the city more affordable with a slate of policies designed to alleviate the burdens currently being placed on working people.
Here are the headline commitments from her campaign launch this week:
- Transport: Extend free bus travel to under 22s and people seeking asylum. Plus, reinstate free pre-9am travel for Freedom Pass and 60+ Oyster card holders.
- Education: Provide free school meals for primary and secondary school children in a much-needed expansion of Khan’s existing policy.
- Renting: Seek a better deal for those navigating London’s hostile rental market by setting up a commission that could introduce a rent freeze – and work towards bringing them down.
- Housing: Buy back homes to increase the inadequate stock and build better, sustainable properties, which will minimise the cost of bills for residents as well as their environmental impact.
At the event, Garbett said: “The current Labour Mayor of London has failed to get to grips with the affordability crisis facing our city, and nationally, Labour are saying they will continue many of the Conservatives’ disastrous economic policies.
“Both the Conservatives and Labour have let London down. London desperately needs a Mayor that understands the issues that most Londoners are facing… We need a Green Mayor; now is the time.”
How can I help Zoë Garbett’s campaign for London Mayor?
There are several ways in which you can help Green Party candidate Zoë Garbett become London Mayor.
Leafleting
Consider getting in touch with representatives from your local Green Party about leafleting, which is still regarded as one of the most effective methods of political campaigning.
Of course, we are always conscious of the amount of paper we use, but don’t underestimate the difference this can make in getting voters to polling stations and persuading them to choose Green.
Amelia Womack, former Deputy Leader of the Green Party, explained: “I can tell you from first-hand experience of hundreds of Green wins – leafleting is vital. If we don’t do enough of it, we lose. It really is that simple.
“In reality, the choice we face when it comes to leafleting is between leaving voters ignorant of who we are, and without hope that things can change in their neighbourhood… or showing them why voting Green will be good for them, for their community and for their future.”
As we don’t have billionaire backers, the Green Party is reliant on the good will of its supporters to get the latest campaign materials through letterboxes. Can you help us?
Check out Haringey Green Party’s events for our next local leafleting session – we can guarantee friendly faces, but not necessarily sunny weather.
Alternatively, find a list of London-wide events here or get in touch with Zoë’s team for an invitation to her WhatsApp community, which offers regular updates on volunteering opportunities.
Sharing
Although it hasn’t supplanted more traditional methods just yet, spreading the word about Zoë Garbett on social media is hugely appreciated and can still make a valuable difference.
Please consider reposting content from her campaign on your preferred site(s), with regular updates currently being shared in the following places:
Engaging with posts on these platforms (such as by liking and commenting) can also help them spread further, courtesy of those mysterious algorithms that kindly assemble our daily feeds.
Donating
A crowdfunding page will be live until 5pm on Friday 12th April 2024 for anyone who wishes to make a monetary donation to Zoë Garbett’s mayoral campaign.
Anything you can spare to get us towards our ambitious target would be greatly appreciated – and spent wisely in our mission to get London its first Green mayor.