On Thursday 6th May you have a chance to vote for the London Mayor, a GLA member for Ealing (and Hillingdon) and in some Ealing wards, for new local councillors.
Stop the Towers (STT) is an apolitical organisation. We have approached the main GLA candidates in the election for their comments on Ealing Councils current pro-tower block policy. The responses we’ve had so far are below:
| Party | GLA Candidate | Mayoral Candidate |
| Labour (current Mayor and Majority Party) | Onkar Sahota Opposes local towers and over development. “I commit to the asks [limiting over-development and properly consulting communities] you [STT] have asked and my track record is consistent with pursuing them.” | Sadiq Khan Remains committed to high density housing in towers and promoting alternatives to social housing e.g. London living rent, London affordable rent, shared ownership etc. |
| Conservatives | Greg Stafford Pledged to fully support STT and to fight every inappropriate development in Ealing. As the Leader of the Conservative Group on Ealing Council has been an outspoken critic of these overdevelopments and skyscraper developments across Ealing. If elected, “I promise to hold Ealing Labour to account for every scheme they approve against the overwhelming wishes of local residents” “We must build family homes not skyscrapers” | Shaun Bailey Has committed to impose a moratorium on over development and new tower blocks in Ealing. |
| Green | Marijn van de Geer Strongly opposes towers and over development in favour of sustainable development and local consultation “I share the same concerns and am 100% behind better planning procedures, transparency and more say for local communities on what is being built on their door step. In addition, I of course want climate and biodiversity impacts at the forefront of all new plans. I myself have been heavily involved with trying to stop numerous developments in Ealing.” | Sian Berry Strongly opposes towers and over development in favour of sustainable development |
| Lib Dems | Hussain Khan “We completely understand and share your concerns about the issues created by tall towers as well as the need for any sites in London to deliver genuinely affordable homes“ | Luisa Porritt “as Mayor, Luisa would want to engage closely with the residents who would be affected to make sure that their views were being heard loudly and clearly throughout the planning process” |
These are the main parties, but we will be updating this table on our website as other parties respond.
STT recognise that towers and inappropriate development are not the only issue to vote on – but it is an important one. If we can’t influence local planning decisions by the ballot box on 6th May, more towers will be built and Ealing will be scarred for a generation.
Please vote on Thursday for the candidate and party you believe will best help Ealing and London.
Many thanks for your support
The STT team
www.stopthetowers.org