In the run up to the London local council elections on May 5th, London Gypsies and Travellers has launched a campaign asking candidates to take a stand against the racism and discrimination that Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities continue to face.
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities are affected by some of the highest levels or prejudice and marginalisation in our society. Local Councillors can help address this through actively representing and supporting Gypsy, Roma and Traveller residents in their local areas.
Candidates can sign up to the pledge here. They are also encouraged to share their message of support on social media.
A number of candidates have already signed up to the pledge:
- Caroline Russell, Green Party – Islington
- Sian Berry, Camden Green Party
“Camden Green Party is delighted to sign up to the London Gypsies and Travellers pledges for local government. Our candidates pledge to celebrate and support Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) residents and help ensure their culture and traditions can survive and thrive in our diverse and modern city.”
“We recognise the huge pressures on land in London, and the need to make strong policies that protect and improve accommodation sites and stopping places and make sure future provision supports the needs of the community.”
“We will stand up to hate crime, and to prejudicial language within politics, and we will listen to our GRT constituents, supporting them fully when they need our help to access services or support.”
- John Biggs, Labour Party – Tower Hamlets
- Chris Kennedy, Labour Party – Hackney
- Hina Bokhari, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member
“Racism and prejudice needs to be tackled head on in every borough. Local authorities should be at the forefront of ensuring that happens.
“Local authorities also have a critical role to play in ensuring there is equitable access to services and proper engagement with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.”
- Leonie Cooper, Labour Party – Wandsworth
“I fully support the call for all Councils and Councillors to give support and respect to the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.”
- Emma Best, Conservative Party – Waltham Forest
- Benali Hamdache, Green Party – Islington
-
Dominic Aubrey-Jones, Liberal Democrats – Barnet
-
Greg Ruback, Liberal Democrats – Barnet
-
Sachin Patel, Liberal Democrats – Barnet
- Julia Hines, Liberal Democrats – Barnet
- Enfield Liberal Democrats
- Andree Frieze, Green Party – Richmond
- Sue Lukes, Labour Party – Islington
- Rabina Khan, Liberal Democrats – Tower Hamlets
- Kingston Green Party
- Peter Underwood, Green Party – Croydon
- Claire Sheppard, Green Party – Southwark
- Alistair Polson, Green Party – Tower Hamlets
- Zoë Garbett, Green Party – Hackney
- Emma Wallace, Green Party – Harrow
- Saskia Sabelus, Green Party – Bromley
- Ann Garrett, Green Party – Bromley
- Paul White, Labour Party – Wandsworth
- Benjamin Smith, Green Party – Merton
- Ria Patel, Green Party – Croydon
- Neil Reynolds, Green Party – Ealing
- Alastair Binnie-Lubbock, Green Party – Hackney
- Graeme Henderson, Labour Party – Wandsworth
- Ifraax Samatar, Labour Party – Hackney
- Paul Bell, Labour Party – Lewisham
- Tyrone Scott, Green Party – Hackney
- Rokhsana Fiaz, Labour Party – Newham
- Anne Clarke, Labour and Co-operative Party – Barnet
- Glenda Paddle, Labour Party – Barking and Dagenham
- Damien Egan, Labour Party – Lewisham
- Tim Cobbett, Liberal Democrat – Kingston
- Sade Etti, Labour Party – Hackney
- Carole Williams, Labour Party – Hackney
- Simon Levey, Green Party – Tower Hamlets
- Samuel Murray, Green Party – Barnet
- Ernestas Jegorovas-Armstrong, Green Party – Islington
- Tony Firkins, Green Party – Hounslow
- Stephen Clark, Green Party – Hounslow
- Caroline Shah, Independent – Kingston
- Paul Tibbles, Liberal Democrats – Wandsworth
- Sudi Pigott, Liberal Democrat – Wandsworth
- Peter George, Liberal Democrats – Lewisham
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