At her campaign launch in Lloyd Park today Garbett pledged a two-year rent freeze and free peak-time travel for over-60s, reports Marco Marcelline

Green Party’s Mayoral candidate Zoe Garbett in Lloyd Park today (8th April)

The Green Party’s Zoe Garbett launched her bid to be the Mayor of London in Walthamstow’s Lloyd Park today (8th March).

Delivering her pitch, the Hackney councillor said the Greens offered a more bold alternative to the current Labour administration at City Hall. “London needs a more ambitious mayor more committed to taking on the challenges ahead of us. The time for being timid has passed, we need to be courageous and have a clear plan for London.”

The Greens have come third in the past three mayoral elections, with the party currently having three assembly members.

Cllr Garbett’s manifesto includes a pledge to introduce a two-year rent freeze for Londoners, and a flat Transport for London (TfL) fare that would mean passengers pay the same amount regardless of what zone they travel from.

Launching her mayor bid, she promised to “meaningfully hold landlords to account” by working with community organisers to demand powers from central government to bring in rent controls for Londoners. She also pledged to deliver a “huge project” of insulating homes across the capital to cut bills and reduce emissions.

Speaking to the Echo following her speech, Garbett said that ULEZ-opposition in outer London areas like Chingford would not be so pronounced if public transport was better connected there. “We want to see more investment in outer London. We’ve seen the Superloop and we want to hear from Londoners on if that’s in the right place or not.”

She also welcomed “tweaks to existing infrastructure” such as extending the Night Tube to the Overground and pledged a trifecta of TfL policies including free peak-time travel for over-60s, free bus travel to under-22s, and free travel and cycle hire to asylum-seekers.

Asked why voters in Waltham Forest should opt for the Green Party in the 2nd May election, Cllr Garbett said: “In this election you can vote for who you believe in. We know that the Conservative campaign have pretty much thrown in the towel but we absolutely haven’t. We’re hearing from people that they want the policies we’re putting forward, things like focusing on workers and renters, redistributing wealth and bringing in community voices to City Hall.”

A poll last week showed incumbent Khan had the support of 44% of voters, compared with 26% for Conservative Party candidate Susan Hall. The Greens and the Liberal Democrats were tied-third with 7% each.

The City Hall election is on 2nd May

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