I am standing in the general election as the Alliance for Green Socialism’s candidate in Lewisham North because I want to give the community where I’ve lived for over 40 years a voice in Westminster — whether that’s by defending our National Health Service and improving public transport, or by fighting for climate action and decent housing.

Full statement

The last 14 years under the Tories have been tough times for working people but change is within our grasp. Not only the prospect of a change of government – Labour under Keir Starmer is just another Thatcherite party — but the possibility of economic and social change too. The chance to build a fairer, greener, more equal country where people get decent pay and a secure job. And where everyone has access to great public services. I worked as a trade union activist for 20 years and now campaign on equality and diversity issues, especially regarding older, disabled and LGBT communities. I have seen the damaging effects of a growing inequality in this country. It’s capitalism itself that generates inequality and injustice in pursuit of ‘growth’, and we need to do something about that. Politics is about opposing arguments. But you can’t address climate change in the usual oppositional way. You’ve got to do more than just put forward negative arguments, however persuasive, about the destructive practices of capitalism. So we need to start thinking in a positive new way about the possibilities of eco-socialist degrowth, reducing production and consumption in industrialised countries in order to achieve environmental sustainability, social justice and wellbeing, bringing us back into balance with the living world while distributing income and resources more fairly We can also make the case for solidarity, kindness and compassion in our society. In Lewisham there is huge support for and from the NHS. But we have to end the whole process of privatisation and contracting-out of services in the health sector. We need a fully funded NHS and care service. I am angry that Labour and the Tories appear to have net-zero interest in the future of the planet or in the welfare of ordinary people, especially the young. And that is why we will be campaigning in every street in Lewisham North, and knocking on every door in the constituency, in order to give people a vision of hope during these tough times.