Independent candidate proposes youth mayor for London

Launching her manifesto ahead of the mayoral election on 3 May, Benita pledged to relinquish £43,000 of her mayoral salary to help fund the new position, if elected.

Benita’s manifesto, which cites education and youth as key priorities, suggests that a young mayor should be elected for a two-year term, to work alongside the mayor on a variety of policy areas – not confined to “youth” issues.

She also wants to create a Greater London youth assembly. “There are currently four young mayors representing individual boroughs in London – each of them has been elected by young people and has a budget to manage,” she explained.

“During my mayoralty I would like every borough to elect a young mayor. Together the young mayors would form a Greater London youth assembly, which would hold the mayor of London to account on a quarterly basis.

“I look forward to working with young people across London in the first six months of my mayoralty to determine the detail of the youth assembly, how it will operate and what its main objectives will be.”

On education, Benita plans to appoint an education commissioner, build 167 new primary schools and work to improve transitions between primary and secondary school for pupils.

She also plans to explore matching Ken Livingstone’s promise to restore a London-wide educational maintenance allowance of up to £30 each week.

“I will restore parents' faith in the education system, give young people a stake in our city and end the thoughtless demonisation of London's youth,” she said.