Ahead of the London City Hall elections on 2nd May, the Echo takes a look at the candidates running to represent Waltham Forest on the London Assembly. Last up is Green Party candidate Antoinette Fernandez

Her pitch: “I have a genuine desire to bring better for the people of Waltham Forest. I believe in the need for Universal Basic Income (UBI) and I will push for community-led UBI trials in Waltham Forest. If you want change, you need to vote with your conscience. The only way for more voices to be heard is to vote for other parties like the Greens. It’s essential that we have Green Party assembly members to push for humane, green solutions to the problems that we are facing.”

Housing:

• I would create tougher standards on short-term rentals, like Airbnb, to move towards a situation with less buy-to-let and out-of-borough landlords.
• I support Green mayoral candidate Zoe Garbett’s pledge to establish a rent commission to get a better deal for renters. I believe in rent reduction, not just rent caps.

Environment:

• I would push for councils to install solar panels on council homes and advocate for schemes that motivate private landlords to install solar panels on their tenants’ homes too.
• LTNs should be expanded in all three boroughs but with due consideration to the people living and working around them.
• I completely back the East London Waterworks Park and will fight to make sure it is a reality.

Police/Crime:

• Heavy policing is an issue. I will push for an overhaul of the Met’s hiring procedure to ensure it is as representative of the public as possible.
• I will work to remove police from schools.
• Tackling crime requires we solve the cost-of-living crisis; desperate people are stealing food and baby formula for their kids. First of all, things like baby formula should be free. Then, we should reduce rent, energy bills, and regulate supermarket prices while encouraging people to buy locally sourced, seasonal produce.

Transport:

• I support Green mayoral candidate Zoe Garbett’s plan for free public transport across London for under-22s, and more affordable TfL charges for everyone.
• I would encourage more cycling, and I will push for designated parking spots for all rented electric bikes.

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