Conservative Mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith has promised to double the number of houses in London to meet the housing crisis, if he becomes the Mayor of London. The election is on 5 May. This would be the biggest house building boom in London since 1930s.
In an exclusive interview with Asian Voice, Zac spoke about many issues that affect Londoners – ranging from housing to security to immigration.
Zac, who has been an MP for Richmond Park for years, said the challenges he faced as a Mayoral candidate are much different than that of an MP.
He told Asian Voice, “It is different. London is much bigger. In politics, as the London Mayor you can actually do things directly. The campaign involves directly speaking to people. As an MP because of the size of the constituency it is possible. As a Mayoral candidate, in London – I am rushing around, there are still 5.8mn voters and I will not be able to speak to all of them directly, and therefore we have to depend on using others tools.”
While he and his campaigners have been out and about in their blue doubledecker bus, distributing leaflets, knocking on the doors, his manifesto for Asians has picked major criticism for being 'patronising' to the community.
Responding to the accusations, he claimed, “I reject the criticism. All political parties do whatever they can to speak to different parts of wider communities. My job is to talk to everybody in London and I have tried to do that. I have a very positive message about my action plan – it's about building wealth, not building on our green spaces, council tax flat for four years, making sure London is safe, greenest and cleanest city in the world.”
He has already made rounds in Gurdwaras, mosques, temples and on Saturday (23rd April) he visited the Neasden temple where he addressed more than 3,500 strong congregation.
Speaking at the Neasden temple, he said: “This is one of the UK’s greatest architectural treasures. Every last stone has been adorned with care, love, and expert craftsmanship.
“It is a marble monument to eternity, in the heart an ever-changing city. It is one of the greatest gifts that the Hindu community has given to London.”
When asked why must Asians vote for him, the Richmond Park MP replied with conviction, “I have a plan that I can deliver. Politics is not just about promises. I always deliver on my promises. And in the last election that's why I got the biggest increase in majority. People know that they can trust me. I know if there was a way of making everybody read my manifesto, then I would win (this election) hands down...”
London being home to international students and Indian businesses, what does he plan to do for them? The Mayoral candidate emphasised that though he does not have the power to influence immigration laws, he is supporting Boris Johnson's approach to diversity – and wants international students, business communities from all across the world to come to London. He emphasised that the special relationship between India and Britain is growing stronger and he showed great regards for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his vision.
“It’s been particularly special to engage with this community (British Indian) – because your story is the London story: hard work, enterprise, generosity, openness.
“In truth, the whole British Indian community contributes so much to London. I find it extraordinary that you represent just 2% of the UK population, but account for 6% of our country’s GDP.”
Besides promising to make London a safer place, backing the community with more police officers with better tools, ethnic representatives in police force, doubling response vehicles, he also talked about the London's transport system.
He said, there is a huge investment required to avoid London from grinding to a standstill. “Cross Rail 1 will be delivered on time and if I am the Mayor, I will try to win the government over Cross Rail 2. This would allow 10% of additional travel capacity and introduce at least 2,000 new jobs...”
A Tory campaign analysis says Underground passengers are crammed in with up to five people per square metre, while livestock transport rules say cattle should get 23% more space and sheep 123%.
Mr Goldsmith has pledged to invest £1.5 billion to increase Tube capacity, and says his Labour rival Mr Sadiq Khan’s plan to freeze fares would cost £1.9 billion.
