“Hi, I’m Mary Ion and I’m running to be your representative for Bexley and Bromley on the London Assembly.

Full statement

I’m excited to stand in these elections to highlight Green thinking that can deliver real change for Londoners to make our city more people friendly and resilient.

Every day as a mental health nurse I see the impact that the pandemic is having on people. Many are struggling to manage on low incomes and with uncertainty for the future.

I tend to see things through a public health lens and I think that Green Party policies which see people as part of their environment provide solid solutions.

We need a new way of doing things that will protect the health of Londoners by reducing pollution and providing more financial security.

I’d like to see a rapid move away from polluting cars with more inclusive space for walking and cycling that gives everyone the chance to move around under their own steam.

We know that air pollution is killing people. In places like Bromley and Bexley we have an excess of car use. There’s a real opportunity here to transform our local neighbourhoods and make them more people friendly.

The time has come for Universal Basic Income to provide a secure financial base for everyone during these times of uncertainty as we transition away from fossil fuels and towards more automation.

I’d like to see a trial of UBI in London now that the pandemic has reinforced that this is less a fringe idea and more of a necessity.

Sian and Caroline have been working really hard to deliver change. I’m hopeful that we can get more Greens on the assembly and do even more to make London the greenest city in the world.