We must fight inequality

Published: September 8, 2011

MORE than ever we need our community centres, youth services and community policing, but we also need politicians and political parties prepared to stand up and fight against the inequality that has blighted our society.

Social justice is key to what the Green Party stands for. We support the introduction of the London Living Wage (LLW) at Camden Council. That means all council workers – including those working for contractors – would be paid at least £8.30 per hour rather than the national minimum wage of £5.93, which is what Camden’s contractors pay street cleaners and carers. To bring this in for everyone it would cost approximately 0.03 per cent of Camden’s budget, which is likely to be offset by reduced staff turnover and improved productivity.

Camden Labour Party promised to introduce the LLW in its 2010 manifesto, but conspicuously failed to deliver. The lowest paid at the council are receiving what can only be described as poverty wages. I will campaign to persuade the council to introduce the LLW for everyone. The Green Party believes that fair is worth fighting for.

What Camden Labour need is someone to challenge them.

My promise to Highgate is that, drawing on the experience I gained as a councillor from 2006 to 2010, I will strive to hold Labour to account at all times. But I will also work with them, whenever there is scope for co-operation.

In these difficult times it is only by being honest with voters, by working with the community and by being collaborative across party lines while sticking to one’s principles, that we are likely to find effective and lasting solutions that work to the benefit of residents.
Alexis Rowell
Green Party candidate
Highgate by-election