Published: 21 May, 2015

GREEN councillor Sian Berry revealed this morning (Thursday) that she wants to stand to be Mayor of London, writes Richard Osley.

She has put her name forward for the internal Green Party selection contest which will decide who contends next year’s mayoral elections.

Cllr Berry, the only Green councillor in Camden, was the party’s mayoral candidate in 2008 and was credited with energising a campaign which saw the party jump from seventh to fourth place in the race.

“London needs a new kind of politics,” she said.

“For too long this city has been run for the powerful and privileged, and now it is in crisis thanks to inequality, dirty air and a broken housing system. The time has come for a new voice in London’s politics – one that stands up for the whole city, not just those at the top. Thankfully, London is full of communities, movements and campaigns who are building this new kind of politics. They need an ally in City Hall, which the Greens can provide to create an open, tolerant city that celebrates diversity.”

Cllr Berry, who has represented Highgate ward since 2014, added: “When I ran for mayor in 2008 the Green Party had around 1,000 members in London. This time we have the talent of 10,000 to tap into. I’m determined that together we give Londoners the big, open, creative and inspiring campaign they deserve.”