**Across Lewisham, people feel the same: we deserve better.

Full statement

**

We’re tired of a system that protects billionaires while working people struggle.Our rivers are polluted, bills keep rising, housing is insecure, and decisions are made without our communities.

But alongside the frustration, there is hope.

Something special is happening in Lewisham. The Green Party came second in the last mayoral election and our support is growing fast. On 7 May, we can elect a Green Mayor and change how Lewisham is run.

That’s why I’m standing to be the next Mayor of Lewisham.

I’m standing because I believe in a fairer Lewisham. I grew up in a single-parent family, supported by a strong community and always understood the need to fight injustice. After studying at Goldsmiths, I worked for an anti-racism charity, before serving as a Lewisham councillor for four years.

Since I was elected, I’ve secured pedestrianisation on dangerous roads, protected small businesses from closure, secured investment for community groups, fought the far-right, demanded safer housing for residents and lobbied in support of refugees.

Labour’s complicity with the genocide in Gaza and inaction on cost of living crisis has let us all down. That’s why I joined the Green Party: the party of social justice, real democracy, and protecting our environment.

My 5 priorities as Mayor

1. Build homes for people not profit. Safe and secure at prices people can actually afford.

2. Deliver cleaner, safer streets and more protected cycle lanes

3. Protect public assets from sell-off, through community partnerships

4. Unlock more funding for youth services

5. Stop wasting millions on expensive consultants and failed projects

On 7 May, you have a choice: more of the same,
or a Green Mayor who puts people first.

Together, we can fix what’s broken.

In solidarity,

Cllr Liam Shrivastava