London Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon has been confirmed as the Liberal Democrats’ candidate for next year’s mayoral contest following a ballot of party members.
Ms Pidgeon was the sole candidate put before members after former Lewisham councillor Duwayne Brooks, the only other contender to be shortlisted for the nomination, was forced to drop out due to work commitments.
Despite the lack of a second candidate party bosses asked members to formerly endorse Ms Pidgeon’s nomination.
Pidgeon entered City Hall at the 2008 election and has used her time on the Assembly to push a number of issues, including tackling knife crime and the introduction of flexible fares and tickets.
A popular figure in the party, she’s wide widely considered one of its most able and determined campaigners and is a strong media performer.
Before being elected to the Assembly she was a councillor in Southwark where she served as Executive Member for Children’s Services and Education and deputy council leader.
In 2010 she unsuccessfully stood against Vauxhall MP Kate Hoey and was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2013 New Year Honours.
Speaking after her selection was confirmed, Ms Pidgeon said: “London is a great city, but the huge potential it offers is not available to everyone.
“We need to tackle the brain drain to London’s economy caused by too many women not returning to work in part due to the high cost of childcare. We also need to end the scandal of too many young people struggling to rent, let alone buy a property.
“Unless we tackle these barriers London will continue to be a city that serves the few, not the many.”
Her campaign is expected to focus on tackling air pollution, ensuring London’s fares “meet modern day lifestyles” and boosting housing supply.
Pidgeon is the third mayoral candidate named by the four parties currently represented at City Hall and joins Labour’s Sadiq Khan and Green party candidate Sian Berry in the contest to succeed Boris Johnson.
The trio are expected to be joined by Richmond MP Zac Goldsmith for the Tories.
