Battle for London: Jewish News to host community’s only mayoral hustings
Sadiq Khan and Zac Goldsmith will make last-ditch appeals for support in the race to become London mayor when they face questions from community members alongside other top candidates at a special Jewish News event, writes Justin Cohen.
Issues from housing to the rise of anti-Semitism and transport to the delegitimisation of Israel are likely to feature when five candidates for the top job go head to head in north London on 5 April – exactly one month before Londoners go to the polls.
The candidates’ differing stance on the EU referendum may also on the agenda at the hustings, organised by the London Jewish Forum and Jewish News in partnership with JW3, where the event will be held.
All mayoral candidates standing with political parties that already have elected representatives in London – MPs, MEPs or London Assembly members – have been invited to take part. Alongside the Labour and Tory candidates Khan and Goldsmith will be Lib Dem Caroline Pidgeon, UKIP’s Peter Whittle and Baroness Jenny Jones, who is standing in for Green candidate Sian Berry.
Joe Vinson, Director of the London Jewish Forum, said: “This year’s elections for the mayor of London will be crucial in determining the capital’s future. I couldn’t be more pleased that for the first time ever, Jewish Londoners will have the chance to quiz the mayoral candidates on the issues they care about – ensuring that the voice of the community is heard.
“The mayor of London is a powerful politician who makes decisions that affect the lives of millions of people, including London’s thriving Jewish community, and it’s only right that members of the community get to hear from the candidates themselves on how they will support Jews across London.”
Jewish News editor Richard Ferrer said: “Over the past six years Jewish News has enabled readers to quiz some of the most prominent politicians face-to-face. This event will once again offer the opportunity to raise the issues that matter most to readers and learn more about what the would-be mayors would bring to City Hall. The chance to quiz the candidates so close to polling day is not to be missed.”
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