Tory candidate accused of ‘taking Jews for granted’ after skipping hustings

Two London Assembly candidates will be missing from a hustings organised for the Jewish community in Barnet and Camden.

The Conservative candidate, Roberto Weeden-Sanz, and Green Party candidate, Kirsten de Keyser, are set to skip the virtual debate. Instead, Peter Zinkin and Zack Polanski are to appear to represent the candidates respectively.

“I unfortunately have a clash of meetings on the 26th, so I suggested to Daniel that Zack would be an excellent speaker in my place,” said de Keyser.

Monday’s hustings is organised by the London Jewish Forum in partnership with the Jewish Leadership Council and Board of Deputies. Jewish News is the media sponsor for the event, with this paper’s political editor Lee Harpin hosting the debate.

Labour accused the Conservative candidate of snubbing voters in the constituency.

“It’s pretty shabby behaviour really,” said Mike Katz, chair of the Jewish Labour Movement.

“It’s one of the most Jewish constituencies in the country, it’s certainly the most Jewish constituency in the London Assembly,” he said, adding: “Either he’s running scared or he’s taking Jewish voters for granted – in either case, it’s a poor show.”

The virtual debate will take place Monday, April 26, between 8.15-9.45pm on Zoom.

Those appearing will be Anne Clarke, the Labour candidate; Peter Zinkin, representing the Conservative Party; the Liberal Democrat candidate Marisha Ray; and Zack Polanski for the Green Party.

Prior registration is required, which can be filled out here.

This article was amended to include comment from Green party candidate, Kirsten de Keyser.