Lib Dems enters New Year with New Candidate
Siobhan Benita, a former independent mayoral candidate, has been selected by members of the Liberal Democrats across London to challenge to Sadiq Khan in the London mayoral elections in May 2020.
Following her selection Ms Benita said,
“What we are seeing at the moment is a Mayor who isn’t treating knife crime urgently enough. Solutions do include more police on the streets but actually this Mayor has decided to shut local police stations, and this Mayor has decided to merge borough commands.” She added that more police was not the only answer and that all mayoral candidates were likely to suggest the need for more resources, but that Mr Khan should also have done more to improve relations between the police and young people across the cityand to tackle the root causes of the violence.
Siobhan Benita sat on the Parliamentary Commission for Youth Violence and claims the current Mayor is doing too little too late on serious knife crime across the Capital.
As former senior Civil Servant, Ms Benita says she will also be campaigning for reliable public transport, more creative solutions to London’s housing crisis and the environment.
She added: “Past mayors have always had their eyes on the next job – wondering if they are going to be the leader of the party – so they are surrounding themselves with people who might help them do that.”
“I like to think I would have that ability to do the local and strategic. I really enjoy getting out across London and meeting people and understanding what makes them tick.
Siobhan Benita won nearly 4 per cent of the vote as an independent candidate in 2012, but said she had joined the Liberal Democrats in the wake of the Brexit referendum result.
“Not just because I’m married to a Frenchman, so Brexit is quite personal, but I absolutely believe that staying in the EU is the right thing for London and the country,” she said.
Ms Benita believes London needs a Mayor who is Pro Business, Anti Brexit and who understands the needs of both inner and outer London residents.
Commenting on Siobhan Benita’s selection, Olly Glover, of Wandsworth Liberal Democrats said “Siobhan is clearly very able and an impressive candidate. She has already joined many team campaigning across London and we are looking forward to an exciting 18 months working with her to win the support of Wandsworth residents”
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Note to Editor : Further information Chris Maines : 07973 149846