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Our ManifestoLondependence 2021
Policing - London should elect its own Met Police Commissioner, just like the rest of the UK. - London should legalize and regulate cannabis in a way that benefits ordinary consumers, and London should keep the tax revenues which this generates. - We believe that prevention is better than cure – we want to address the complex causes of crime and invest in community and youth centres. - We believe that policing should be equal for everyone, regardless of race or gender.
Housing - London needs to build more social housing, and councils should not be forced to sell off their housing stock. - We support the creation of service charge unions for leaseholders. - In the aftermath of Grenfell, leaseholders should not be responsible for the costs that arise in regards to a failure of standards, through no fault of their own, including inflammable cladding. - London should be free to decide its own housing policy without government interference, and borough councils should have the ultimate say over specific local planning proposals.
TfL - London motorists pay £500 million in Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) every year, but none is spent on London’s roads. London should keep its VED and use it to maintain our own roads. - We oppose a Greater London boundary charge, which would amount in effect to an extra tax on London’s businesses. - Government should restore TfL’s operating subsidy, which they stripped from London in 2018.
Financial Services - The financial and insurance sector make up a fifth of London’s total economic output, yet it was completely left out of the UK-EU trade and cooperation agreement (TCA). - Post-Brexit, we will demand the best deal for London's financial services with full access to EU markets. - We will promote London's attractiveness as a global trading centre and investment hub. - We will protect the international competitiveness of London's Stock Exchange.
Businesses - We are in favour of London’s business rates review. London should set and retain all its business rates. - We will provide a one-stop shop to support smaller businesses, for example in their digital transformation and moving to online trading. - We will foster the growth of start-ups and support entrepreneurs who choose to base their businesses in London. - We support the Central London Alliance in its mission to rejuvenate London's economy, especially the hospitality industry. Read more here: https://www.centrallondonalliance.com/our-mission
Diversity - Women should feel safe on London’s streets 24/7. - We support female empowerment and narrowing the gender pay gap. - We support the BLM movement. - We back full LGBTQ+ rights. - We have zero tolerance for any kind of racial hatred.
Health and Environment - We need to encourage the switch to electric cars as quickly as possible. - Everyone has the right to clean air, including those living near busy roads. - London should decide its own policy on COVID passports. - We commit to achieving net zero by 2030. London needs to play a full part in reducing carbon emissions and use of plastic. - We propose a Workout to Helpout scheme to encourage all Londoners to improve their health and in support of London’s fitness industry. - London’s streets and open spaces should be dog-friendly and child-friendly.
Education & Training - London’s world-renowned Higher Education centres need to be supported and sustained. - We oppose further cuts to London’s T-Grant. - We would devolve the Apprenticeship Levy for maximum effectiveness for young Londoners. - Financial literacy education should be provided in schools and colleges.
Arts and culture - We would provide specific grants to help support London’s nightlife, arts and culture sector after being particularly hard-hit by COVID. - We would restore VAT relief for international tourists. - We would negotiate a reciprocal deal for London’s musicians and performers to tour freely in the EU. |