Votes sought for mayoral campaign (From Ealing Times)

Votes sought for mayoral campaign

9:36am Thursday 13th March 2008

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A GREENFORD man believes he has what it takes to run the capital, but needs votes to win funding for his campaign.

Darren Chapman, a 32-year-old station assistant, is in the top 10 of more than 300 candidates on the London Elects You website, which gives members of the public the chance to choose an independent candidate for the Mayoral elections on May 1.

On Tuesday, March 18, voting will be frozen and a new round of voting will open to the public involving just the top 10 candidates.

The winner will have their candidacy fee paid and receive £50,000 in campaign expenses.

The married father of one, who lives in Allington Close, told the Ealing Times: "I entered as a bit of a joke at first, but then I started getting emails from people saying they liked my manifesto proposals, and when I saw I was in the top 10 I really started to believe I could win.

"I think people at this point are looking for something different, a lot of politicians these days work in spite of people and come up with their own policies.

"What people want is somebody who is a Londoner born and bred and who will listen to their ideas.

"Ken Livingstone was originally voted in as an independent, and I think the time is right for someone else."

Mr Chapman, who was born in Hackney and has lived in every part of London, thinks he has an advantage because he has worked on the tube for four years.

He said: "I do feel, from speaking to customers every day on the underground, I have an advantage on the transport front, and a lot of people have said they like my idea of bringing Transport for London and the unions together.

"I also think crime is a big area, and I would reduce the amount of paperwork police have to do and increase patrols on transport networks and high crime areas."

To read more of Mr Chapman's policies and to vote for him visit www.londonelectsyou.co.uk

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