Evelyn Akoto has announced she is standing as Labour’s candidate for Lambeth and Southwark in May’s London Assembly elections.
Pitching herself as the “strong voice” the boroughs need at City Hall, she highlights her record as a Southwark councillor where, as a cabinet member for public safety, she set up the youth panel on knife crime and serious youth crime to help young people find solutions.
She has also highlighted campaigning for more council housing and cleaner air as key challenges to tackle.
Akoto (pictured) will be hoping to capitalise on her strong links to the area, growing up in Kennington and Walworth’s Aylesbury Estate.
In her campaign video she says: “When my parents arrived in London, with a six-year-old me in tow, we moved here to Kennington on the border between Lambeth and Southwark.
“Our neighbouring boroughs share so much in terms of vibrancy, potential, opportunity, but share so many challenges as well.
“When my parents separated, Mum and I moved here to the Aylesbury Estate. We were once described as “the forgotten people”, our area seen as a symbol of urban decay.
“But it was as a result of living here that I decided to get into politics, to be an honest voice of those who had been forgotten, to fight the inequalities.
“But there are new inequalities facing our communities whilst unfortunately the old ones continue to grow.”
She goes on to promise: “If elected to represent you I will work hard on ensuring that City Hall drives forward a strategic approach and I will lead on the fight to reclaim our streets and protect our children.”
The Mayor of London and London Assembly elections will take place on May 7, 2020. Also standing in Lambeth and Southwark are Green candidate Gulnar Hasnain, Lib Dem Florence Mele, and the Tories’ Hannah Ginnett.
Labour’s Florence Eshalomi was voted in as Lambeth and Southwark Assembly Member in the last election in 2016. In December, she became the MP for Vauxhall, a safe Labour seat previously held by Kate Hoey.
Labour’s Sadiq Khan is standing again as London Mayor. Opposition comes from Rory Stewart, a surprise contender standing as an independent after leaving the Conservative Party; the Conservatives’ Shaun Bailey; Liberal Democrat Siobhan Benita, and the Green’s Sian Berry.