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Urgent fixesLondon is the most unequal city in Britain and it's becoming more so, according to a recent study by the London School of Economics and Trust for London. The impact of this inequality is being felt most by young people and those from black and minority ethnic communities.
It's unconscionable that in a city as rich as ours we have high levels of deprivation. If selected for the Green Party London Assembly list, I would push for urgent fixes to tackle the most pressing problems, such as:-
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Longish-term change - the really radical bit
New York thinks it's the best city in the
world but it's wrong: London is. In my experience, we win on just about any criterion, whether
it's access to culture and open spaces, our diversity or quality of life. But we need to think boldly if we are going to prevent London (like New York) becoming a great place to visit or live in if you’re rich,
but a really tough place to survive for anyone else.
All the smart Green fixes we can think of will never create enough affordable housing, public transport, schools and public services if London's population keeps growing at the current rate. The London Assembly needs to take the lead in initiating creative collaboration with politicians, sustainable businesses and community groups in provincial cities to explore whether we can rebalance the UK’s wonky economy and power structures, which are increasing pressure on London while depleting the regions of human and other resources.
I'm not talking about a command economy but about new green, sustainable, community-based businesses and services that will make Britain a better place to live.
London has always welcomed newcomers and will continue to do so. It shouldn’t be beyond the best and brightest minds to see if we can create a more equal two-way flow between London and the nations and regions of Britain - for the benefit of all.
All the smart Green fixes we can think of will never create enough affordable housing, public transport, schools and public services if London's population keeps growing at the current rate. The London Assembly needs to take the lead in initiating creative collaboration with politicians, sustainable businesses and community groups in provincial cities to explore whether we can rebalance the UK’s wonky economy and power structures, which are increasing pressure on London while depleting the regions of human and other resources.
I'm not talking about a command economy but about new green, sustainable, community-based businesses and services that will make Britain a better place to live.
London has always welcomed newcomers and will continue to do so. It shouldn’t be beyond the best and brightest minds to see if we can create a more equal two-way flow between London and the nations and regions of Britain - for the benefit of all.