Shelter hosts mayoral candidates
01 May 2008
On Tuesday 1 April, Shelter co-hosted a major housing and homeless debate between the three main candidates of the forthcoming London mayoral elections.
Boris Johnson, Ken Livingstone and Brian Paddick answered questions from an audience of 200 Londoners, with Tim Donovan, BBC London's political editor, chairing the debate and challenging the candidates on their policies.
All three candidates publicly pledged to end rough sleeping in the capital by 2012 and all recognised the need to provide holistic, joined-up support to helping rough sleepers resettle.
However, there were clear policy differences between the candidates over affordable housing.
Incumbent mayor, Ken Livingstone, stated it should be those in most need who are prioritised for housing subsidy. If re-elected, he said he would continue to prioritise social homes for rent over other forms of affordable housing.
In contrast, Boris Johnson the Tory candidate, spoke about his plans to help 'people in the middle' [on moderate incomes] get on the housing ladder. He highlighted his FirstStep housing scheme, which would be open to first-time buyers who are excluded from current Government schemes.
The Liberal-Democrat's Brian Paddick spoke of his vision for more rented accommodation to be delivered in London, and the need to move away from the desire to be a city of owner-occupiers.
After the debate, the candidates joined the audience and the discussion continued at a drinks reception. Shelter co-hosted the event with Crisis, the National Housing Federation and St Mungo's.
