Live chat with London Mayoral candidates Jenny Jones (Green), Siobhan Benita (Independent) and Lawrence Webb (UKIP), Tuesday 1st May, 12pm-1pm

[FrancesMumsnet]

Following on from Ken and Boris's webchats you said you would like us to invite the remaining mayoral candidates (excluding the BNP) in for live webchats.

So far, the Independent candidate Siobhan Benita, Green party candidate Jenny Jones and UKIP candidate Lawrence Webb have accepted, we're very pleased to announce that they will be joining us at MNHQ on Tuesday 1 May, 12:00pm-1pm.

Siobhan joined the Civil Service in 1996 and worked at the very heart of Government for over 15 years. She lives with her husband and two daughters in New Malden, Kingston.

Jenny Jones is the Green Partys Mayoral candidate and has been a London Assembly Member since its start in 2000. Before entering politics, Jones worked as an archaeologist, studying carbonised plant remains, mostly in the Middle East.

Lawrence Webb, has lived and worked in London for most his life except for a brief stint spent working overseas. Before entering politics, Webb was a self-employed electrician. He was also in the Territorial Army for eight years.

Join us for the webchat and make your voice heard about what you want to see from the capital's next Mayor. Siobhan, Jenny and Lawrence are keen to hear your views and answer your questions. As ever, if you can't make it, please post up your advance questions here.

Thanks,

MNHQ

[SiobhanBenita]

@GeeGee33

To all three candidates: As Boris has broken his "no strike agreement" promise and he's currently trying to wriggle out of that for his next term should he win. What will you do to ensure a good relationship with the trade unions which would ensure that public transport keeps running?

This is where being an independent mayor will be of huge benefit. Relationships with the unions have always been hindered by party political positions and inflexible negotiating lines. Without that baggage I can have rational conversations with unions, management and staff. A better relationship with the unions will minimise transport disruptions.

[piji]

JJ says:

"Sadly, the Mayor doesn't have many powers on education"

But that's not really true, because the Mayor and the GLA have major powers re town planning - and new schools (and school extensions) need planning permission to get built. Would the candidates give planning priority to new and extended schools?

[LawrenceWebb]

@JennyJonesGreen

[quote GeeGee33]
To all three candidates: As Boris has broken his "no strike agreement" promise and he's currently trying to wriggle out of that for his next term should he win. What will you do to ensure a good relationship with the trade unions which would ensure that public transport keeps running?

Hi GeeGee33
I'll take my lead from Tim O'Toole who ran the tube very successfully with very few strikes for many years. He says that constant dialogue is the only way to have good union relations, both to the unions themselves and to the staff, directly. He talked to everyone, explaining what he was doing, what was happening. The more informed the work force, the less stress at work and the fewer strikes.[/quote]

GeeGee, The current system whereby London can be held to ransom by militant union action serves nobodies interests. Our proposal is that at the start of the year a bonus is set that will be paid to all front line staff (not the management). They would then lose 10% of this bonus for each day's industrial action.

[JennyJonesGreen]

@MissAnneThrope

Hello All

Boris was very charming and urbane with the ladeez an' all .. and of course he claimed to be a feminist. Howevs, I did note (see this article) that it's possible he doesn't fully walk the feminist walk (I'll leave you to ponder what that might look like).

So:

What plans do you have to ensure that women are fairly representated at the top of your putative administrations?

What plans do you have for Rape Crisis centre funding in London?

And...

How much new social housing will be built on your watch?

What do you think of the housing benefit cap and its impact on low-earning/unemployed families in London?

Hello MissAnneThrope
The Green Party is full of wonderful women - if I need advisors, I'll have lots of women to choose from. The GLA itself has fair employment policies, so there are lots of women.
Re the rape crisis centres, I guarantee I'd continue the funding. Ideally, I'd like there to be more. We'd also have a one-stop shop for people who are victims of domestic violence in every borough, so they can access all the services they need, as stress free as possible.
Also, fyi, Boris is casually sexist to women Assembly Members. It drives us mad and we've made a cross party formal complaint.
On Social Housing, we'd work with the boroughs to enable them build housing once again. The Gov's plans to extend the Right to Buy scheme, with 80% mortgages is plain stupid and damaging. Plus we'd build 15k affordable homes every year.
jj

[SiobhanBenita]

@poppyseeds99

I'm a young person living in London and over 50% of my wage goes on renting a small one-bedroom flat which I share with my partner. We are cramped for space whilst our landlady lives in a row of mansions not far from us. She does not work. What would the candidates do to redress the balance and give young people in London a better deal when it comes to renting and buying property?

I have a "lettings MOT policy" that will match responsible landlords with reliable tenants. It will help keep rents down, improve standards and provide tenants with more security. Please see my previous post also on my policy for a new fixed price, low-cost housing market. More details on the website, but in short I would use mayor's land to build low-cost homes where the price will be fixed by the Mayor and where the homes can never be sold into the commercial market. It's a radical second-market option, and one which housing organisations such as Shelter have welcomed as the housing challenge in London is so big.

[JennyJonesGreen]

@LineRunner

Siobhan, I'm not a Londoner but will be campaiging for a friend of mine who is standing in local elections where I live.

I would love to get more people out to vote.

I support votes for young people - what do you think, and at what age would you say that young people should be able to vote?

Good luck.

Hi LineRunner
Green Party policy is for the voting age to be 16.
As Mayor I'd have a Youth Assembly, to shadow the London Assembly and have their own Mayor's Question Time once a year.
JJ

[piji]

Siobhan, thank you again for getting back to me.

I'm afraid you still haven't really answered the question though.

Being in favour of school-building in vague general terms is a lot easier than having the courage to face down local NIMBYs who are opposing school-building, as they are here in the Dundonald area of Wimbledon.

What would you do in our specific situation?

A mumsnet member living 225m from the school is having, this September, to send their 4-year-old to school in Mitcham 3 miles away - that can't be right - can it?

[SiobhanBenita]

[quote Solo]How sad is this? I had no idea that there was anyone other that Johnson and Livingstone to vote for!!
So, does that mean that the rest of you aren't shouting loud enough?

[personanongrata]

Many women members on the assembly have commented that Boris has been
rude and patronising to them personally. Siobhan and Jenny has this
been the case for you during the campaign?
Thanks.

[LawrenceWebb]

@MrsMicawber

This is a question for all three candidates - are you satisfied that the Olympics will leave a positive legacy in their wake? How will we not end up like Greece in that respect?

I work for a small company, as does my husband, and we won't be able to work from home or stagger our working hours during the game. Business will simply suffer. Do you think this is fair?

Do you think it is right that the tube upgrades necessary to accomodate the extra burden of the games is being shouldered by ordinary commuters, and what is your position on the cost of public transport in general?

MissMicawber,
Not at al. We were misled from the start. The original bid, we were told would cost £2.4 billion. When all is said and done the likely final bill is going to be closer to forty billion including £20 billion spent on upgrading London's infrastructure. Paying for this upgrade is what has caused the fares to almost double since we won the bid.

It is an outrage that Londoner's who are footing the bill for these Olympics are also going to suffer the worst disruption to their daily lives during these games. TFL have asked Londoners to work from home where possible, or travel at awkward times.

Many people such as key workers simply cannot adjust their work patterns and child care provisions around the Olympics.

Please do not wish Greece on anyone at this time....

[SiobhanBenita]

@cm22v07

Hi All,
I'm a first time voter in the London Mayoral election, I'm not convinced by Ken or Boris so am looking to use my vote elsewhere. As a young person, which one of you should I vote for?

Me! I am the only candidate with a youth and education manifesto. Right from the start I have pledged to give young Londoners a stronger voice, in this campaign and in City Hall. One of my policies is to elect a Young Mayor for London, paid for out of my own salary, and to establish a Greater London Youth Assembly. Young people's concerns often get overlooked and these policies will provide powerful channels for young people to influence and challenge the Mayor on all policy areas.

I also have transport policies, such as reduction in fares for people on low wages and late-running tubes, which will benefit all Londoners, but young people in particular

Many young people are disillusioned with party politicians and like having an independent candidate to vote for.

[noidles]

Well, personally, I think MN have silenced a very worthy candidate in Carlos whatisface from the BNP. Free travel at weekend? Yes please!

But in all seriousness - what's your favourite biscuit?

[JennyJonesGreen]

@MrsMicawber

This is a question for all three candidates - are you satisfied that the Olympics will leave a positive legacy in their wake? How will we not end up like Greece in that respect?

I work for a small company, as does my husband, and we won't be able to work from home or stagger our working hours during the game. Business will simply suffer. Do you think this is fair?

Do you think it is right that the tube upgrades necessary to accomodate the extra burden of the games is being shouldered by ordinary commuters, and what is your position on the cost of public transport in general?

Hello MrsMicawber
In reverse order, Greens will reduce the cost of public transport and keep it below inflation for the next four years. It's very important to reduce the cost of living in London and transport is the area that the Mayor has the most control over.
The tube upgrade is not only for the Games, it is for all of us Londoners. It is necessary, although incredibly expensive.
Of course it isn't fair that your company can't work during the Games. I would be happy to help with some advice, if it's possible to make things even a bit better, if you email me after the election.
No, I'm not confident of a positive legacy. Many social and environmental gains have been lost, simply through a lack of ambition. However, a housing legacy is still possible and Greens would make it affordable.
JJ

[piji]

MrsMicawber I wish I could!

[JennyJonesGreen]

@personanongrata

Many women members on the assembly have commented that Boris has been
rude and patronising to them personally. Siobhan and Jenny has this
been the case for you during the campaign?
Thanks.

Hello Personanongrata
No, during the campaign Boris has been quite polite to me. Most unusual.
jj

[JennyJonesGreen]

@noidles

Well, personally, I think MN have silenced a very worthy candidate in Carlos whatisface from the BNP. Free travel at weekend? Yes please!

But in all seriousness - what's your favourite biscuit?

M&S dark chocolate ginger are the best in the world.

[SiobhanBenita]

@BIWIWhoMustBeObeyed

There is no way on this planet I will ever bring myself to vote for Boris. But I don't know who to put as my second choice.

Siobhan/Jenny - why would you make a good second choice for me?

(Take it as read that the UKIP candidate will never, ever secure a vote from me)

Who is your first? In the two-vote system it is better to put the traditional candidate as your second preference... I would make a good first choice because I have policies on education, youth, low-cost homes, improving your local neighbourhood (addressing the top five residents' issues in each borough) - none of which the other candidates have.

[LawrenceWebb]

@SiobhanBenita

[quote poppyseeds99]
I'm a young person living in London and over 50% of my wage goes on renting a small one-bedroom flat which I share with my partner. We are cramped for space whilst our landlady lives in a row of mansions not far from us. She does not work. What would the candidates do to redress the balance and give young people in London a better deal when it comes to renting and buying property?

I have a "lettings MOT policy" that will match responsible landlords with reliable tenants. It will help keep rents down, improve standards and provide tenants with more security. Please see my previous post also on my policy for a new fixed price, low-cost housing market. More details on the website, but in short I would use mayor's land to build low-cost homes where the price will be fixed by the Mayor and where the homes can never be sold into the commercial market. It's a radical second-market option, and one which housing organisations such as Shelter have welcomed as the housing challenge in London is so big.[/quote]

Poppyseeds,
This is about supply and demand. Whilst we have our current immigration policy demand will always outstrip supply. So whilst house prices and rents have been rising, wages in real terms have been falling on part due to increased wage competition. I have already said that the Mayor will be able to increase the social housing stock, and I am committed to do so.

[SiobhanBenita]

@noidles

Well, personally, I think MN have silenced a very worthy candidate in Carlos whatisface from the BNP. Free travel at weekend? Yes please!

But in all seriousness - what's your favourite biscuit?

I've been waiting for this question It's the shortbread finger - comforting, very dunkable, and feels a bit indulgent.

[LawrenceWebb]

@JennyJonesGreen

[quote noidles]
Well, personally, I think MN have silenced a very worthy candidate in Carlos whatisface from the BNP. Free travel at weekend? Yes please!

But in all seriousness - what's your favourite biscuit?

M&S dark chocolate ginger are the best in the world.[/quote]

Sainsbury's bourbons, cracking dunkers

[JennyJonesGreen]

@bobthebuddha

Definitely interested in voting for you (I'd be very impressed if you managed to get 167 new primary schools built!), but wondering about your supporting the extra Heathrow runway.

Have you considered/consulted on the local opposition to this and the effect on quality of life for those under the flightpath if it goes ahead?

Could you really maintain 'strict limits on sound and emissions'?

Why is it preferable to the idea of an airport in the Thames Estuary which you said you'd want to cancel outright as a 'vanity project'? Would there really be no need for public money to be spent at Heathrow?

Hi Bobthebuddha
Expanding Heathrow, or building further airport capacity is barking mad. It's not only about quality of life for Londoners (the fact that the noise from Heathrow and City airports are measured separately not cumulatively is INFURIATING), it's about the damage to our planet too.
With some simple slot planning, H'row could take no cargo, fewer short haul flights and increase its long haul without increasing the overall number of flights.
Simples
JJ

[eggsandham]

noidles that is one of my favourite ever posts

"But in all seriousness - what's your favourite biscuit?"

:o

[slug]

Lawrence: How do you reconcile your anti-immigration stance with your history of living and working abroad yourself?

[SiobhanBenita]

@GeeGee33

As a pro-european, sorry Lawrence, what would Siobhan or Jenny do to increase ties with the European Union to ensure more development money comes into the capital?

I'm pro-European too. I would use the Mayor's role as an international face of London, to attract investment from Europe as well as emerging markets further abroad. My Heathrow policy proves how much I want London to remain a centre for international business and investment.