Sophie Walker is revealed as the Women’s Equality Party candidate for the London Mayor elections 

Sophie Walker is standing as the first ever Women’s Equality Party (WE) candidate for London Mayor.

“I am in a moment that is on the edge of being extraordinary,” says Walker. “As leader of the Women’s Equality Party, I have transformed gender equality from an idea into a diverse and flourishing political movement of 45,000 members and supporters. And now I am throwing my hat in the ring as the first ever WE candidate for London Mayor.”

Walker is standing to make London the first city in the world where men and women are equal.

“This is London’s fifth election and I’ve watched one Mayor after another overlook the potential of four million women at the heart of this great city” she says. “I have a plan for London that benefits everyone and not just half the population.”

London’s four million women are living with the UK’s biggest pay gap, most expensive childcare, highest sexual violence rates and highest levels of child poverty.

“As Mayor of London, I am going to make sure these issues can no longer be ignored” Walker continues. “I am going to make equality and diversity the fuel that drives our nation’s capital.”

In London, women are more likely to be living in poverty and less likely to have a job than elsewhere in the UK. Young people are being taught that their gender determines the jobs they can do. Women and girls experience harassment on the capital’s streets and on our public transport system.

“Women’s needs are being forgotten. This hurts everyone, because equality is not a zero sum game. When women prosper, so do men,” Walker says.

“If we harness the potential of the four million women in London, we will all lead better lives. The pay gap will shrink, our economy will grow, businesses will transform, housing will be affordable, transport will be accessible and our streets will be safer. That is the London that I want to live in.”

She adds: “A vote for me is a vote for all.”

Editors’ notes:

Sophie Walker was elected by WE members across the capital as the party’s candidate for Mayor of London. An electronic vote was held (OMOV) with a 54 per cent turnout. Walker was also selected to be top of the party’s London-wide list, and is joined by a team of ten other candidates. You can read more about our London candidates on our website.

The Women’s Equality Party are contesting the London Mayoral and Greater London Assembly elections in May, as well as the Welsh Assembly and Scottish Parliament elections.

WE are a non-partisan political party. Since registering with the Electoral Commission in July 2015 WE have gathered 45,000 members and supporters and established 70 branches across the UK. Join here.

Our London candidates are breathing new life into politics. They are fundraising to support their campaigns, and to make their mark on the elections in May. Read more.

Press enquiries to Catherine Riley, Head of Communications ([email protected] /07764 752 731).